Dear Parents/Caregivers,

Thanking you for all your positive support since the start of the school year. 

Special thanks to those families who have paid our school donations this is very much appreciated and enables us to deliver our curriculum with a range of different activities and use  experts across a range of experiences.  

COVID 19 has had an impact on the arrival of the  2020 cohort of Mandarin Language Assistants (MLA) who travel to NZ from China to work in many schools by this time each year. The Confucius Institute of Victoria University and the Ministry of Education, that arranges this programme, is not yet able to advise us of their arrival date for our 2020 MLA cohort while they await updates on their ability to travel to New Zealand.

We had a wonderful Fono night last week for Pasifika families. Gaby Mikisi from the

Ministry of Education presented to families and staff. There was a real energy in the room as we all work together for the good of our students.

The Junior School are really looking forward to their trip next week to the Island Bay Marine Centre on Tuesday, 17 March. Special thanks to all those parents who are going to support Sue, Sarah and Kate with authentic learning in our backyard. Buses will leave school at 9.30am  and will return at 1.20pm from Island Bay.

Students in action - Technology classes at Karori West Normal School.

St Mary’s students playing volley ball with our students before school

Fingers crossed for good weather tomorrow as we have our dance show to share with you at 1.15pm.

We will have school prayers on Monday morning to remember those who passed away in Christchurch last year.  This will be led by our Student Liturgy team.

As we travel through Lent - let us try and find the Holy Spirit 

Arohanui,

Bernadette Murfitt

Principal, Sacred Heart Cathedral School

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.

A new email address has been set up for the office - it is:  office@sacred-heart.school.nz. This will replace Cathy's email address.

Just a reminder that if your child will not be attending school, please let Cathy or Frances in the office know.  You can do this by email:  cathy@sacred-heart.school.nz or frances@sacred-heart.school.nz, phone:  044724047 or via SchoolApps.  If a reason is not given for your child's absence, it will be coded as an 'unjustified' absence.

This Friday, 13 March is the last day for ICAS entries and payments - NO LATE ENTRIES ACCEPTED. 

The students have been enjoying dance lessons with Mark, from Dance Curriculum.  They are busy practising their dance routine which will culminate in a whole school performance on Thursday (tomorrow) at 1.15pm, on the top court (weather permitting). Parents and caregivers are warmly invited to join us for this performance.

" I have learnt lots of new moves with my body including the way I use my hands." Zymone

" I really liked doing something new with a professional dance instructor." Lily

Check out the video of Robyn and RJ dancing!

Come along to the Mission Expo at Bishop Viard College, Porirua on 14 March between 10am and 4pm. Lots of free parking and public transport just across the road. While the children are having their faces painted, or playing some of the many organised games, adults can explore the booths and be entertained by a schedule of performances. The children may like to attend a workshop where they make and bring home either a bird box, insect motel, or planter box (they will need to register for the workshop with Ann Williams 496 1783 – leave a message with contact details). Come for lunch and enjoy multi-cultural food. Entry is free and there are door prizes.

During March schools across New Zealand are being creative in getting students moving and being more active. On the 31 March we would like all of our students to wear House  coloured mufti and fancy feet . Throughout the day students will particiapte in a range of physical activities. It would be appreciated if all students could bring a gold coin and we will donate all money raised  to Caritas.

March is Coming – Let’s Get Movin’!

We’re a Movin’March school and we can’t wait to make the most of the settled weather and encourage our students to Walk or Wheel to and from school. Explore the website for tips and check out the parents page on how to build active travel into your daily routine.

Movin'March for Parents

This year we are encouraging whānau to take part in the Parent Facebook competition (daily prizes plus one scooter to give away every week!) and the Share your Story competition which has weekly prizes (plus a family pass on Bluebridge Ferries!)

Why Movin’March?

Not only does walking or wheeling to school reduce congestion and chaos at the school gate, we also get to slow down and spend some quality time with our tamariki. Walking or wheeling to school solo or with friends can be a real confidence boost and families get to do their bit for the environment!

At Sacred Heart we recognise that not many families are able to walk to school and so we adapt the programme to fit our situation. Teachers will stamp Movin’March passports to recognise any physical activity that students have partaken in. Let them know if your family has gone for a walk or played at the park. Maybe your child has attended a training session for a sports team. The main emphasis is that we are promoting an active lifestyle.

How to make it work for your whānau

• Instead of driving right up to the school gate, why not Park and Stride? Walk the last 500m or so to school and get your passport stamped by a teacher!
• Think about how you might get to and from school over March (and the rest of Term 1!) Check out Micro scooter’s safety tips
•  NZTA’s Hike it Bike it safety suggestions.

Our school will hold a WOW Fancy Feet and Mufti Day on 31 March where we invite all families to walk or wheel – even for just this one day with the fanciest feet you can imagine and create. Give it a go on WOW Family day and be part of our celebration!

Thank you for your generous donations for our Easter raffle. The baskets look incredible.

Please write the name and contact phone number on each ticket butt.  Payment can be made by internet banking with your child’s name as the reference to Sacred Heart Cathedral School Parents and Friends Committee, 12-3140-0397242-000 or return funds in an envelope with your child’s name to Cathy.  Please send all ticket butts back to school by Wednesday, 1 April.  Also, please include any unsold tickets in your returned envelope.   Extra tickets are available from Cathy in the office.

Winners be drawn on Friday 3 April.

Thank you to everyone who has already purchased tickets and returned money to the school!

Alyssa and Javi from Room 5 have both earned GOLD certificates in Mathletics. Well done!

It was fantastic to see so many of our students at Touch Rugby last Wednesday with Nehe Milner Skudder. Thank you to all our families who supported this.

Well done to all the touch teams. Ball skills and fitness are a real strength of our touch teams. This combined with supportive parents and coaches is the secret.

Touch Results:

The Pigs 10 vs 1 Sacred Heart Saints

Sacred Heart Strikers played Bounty Hunters and won 2-1. Player of day is Zoe (Rm 3).

Sacred Heart Tigers played Kelburn Kilowatts and lost 1-2. Player of the day is Joshua (Rm 6).

The Ministry of Health’s current advice is that with continued vigilance, the chance of widespread community outbreak is expected to remain low. So, we all have a role here to minimise the spread of COVID-19.
 
Our school staff and leadership team remain well prepared for the possibility there might be a case in our community. If that were to occur we are confident we can put our plans in place and know we will be supported by regional health authorities and the Ministry of Education.
 
I am sure you are all keen to do what you can to prevent risk of infection. The best preventative steps are:

• wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and dry thoroughly
• avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• avoid sharing anything that has come in contact with saliva, whether in your living or social environments
• stay home when you are sick and seek medical attention
• cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the rubbish
• get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals to ensure a healthy immune system.

As a school, we have been very well supported to date by the Ministries of Health and Education 

Useful links below:

https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

http://education.govt.nz/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-3/

After school private lessons available with a focus on how to read music along with TAB/chords.

Taught by Amber Madriaga, a former Sacred Heart School student who is passionately pursuing a music and psychology career. The following types of lessons are offered:

Individual lessons: a rounded approach where the material taught is solely catered to the child ($25 for 30mins). 

Small group lessons: a combination of both solo and group material ($20 for 30mins).

Spaces for the term are limited so if interested, please contact Amber at amber.madriaga@gmail.com. 

https://www.netsafe.org.nz/online-safety-for-parents/

We are very excited to be holding CodeCamp April School Holiday Programmes at Queen Margaret College and Chilton St. James.

We also have a new promotion!!

Bring A Mate (BAM) and 6% of your order total will be credited back to you before the class starts. Its super easy just tell us the name of the Parent who you have referred and if they enroll you get money back.

So get talking and save money

Please Note: BAM credit is subject to the referred parent enrolling in a holiday program.

We are now offering later pick ups (3pm - 5pm) and a 5th day add ons:

- 5th-day add-on: $65

- Late pick up: $15 per child per day

Promo Codes: Save up to 17%

Alumni Discount 5%: use 'Alumni19'

Siblings Discount 6%: use 'SIB'

BAM Credit 6%: refer a mate

Our Location & Dates

Queen Margaret College, Thorndon

- 14th April – 17th April 2020

(NOTE: no class on the 13th April due to Easter Monday)

- 20th April – 23/24th April 2020

Chilton St James, Lower Hutt

- 20th April – 23/24th April 2020