Dear Parents/Caregivers,

I hope you have enjoyed the break with your family.

All is well here at school.

Special thanks to you all - $1650.00 was raised with our raffle.  The chrome book, cricket bat and beauty voucher were warmly recieved.  This money will go into learning resources for our students in the classroom.

A very warm welcome to Cassie Rm2 who started on Monday. You will love your time at Sacred Heart Cathedral School and will make lifelong friends.

Just a few reminders:

Shake Out - we will be practising our earthquake drill tomorrow at 9.30am.  Please make sure we have your latest contact details including those designated people who will pick up in an emergency.  We encourage you to discuss emergency preparedness with your child including what to do when cellphones are not working and if an emergency occurs during travel to and from school.  If an emergency was to happen at school, we would release children as per your emergency contacts. 

On 23rd October, Friday is a Teacher Only Day. There will be no classes on this day.

Have a great week. The seniors are getting super excited as we count down for camp.

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 Encyclical from Pope Francis – Last weekend, Pope Francis published his third Encyclical Letter.  It’s entitled "Fratelli Tutti, on Fraternity and Social Friendship."  As Cardinal John writes, “Fratelli Tutti” means “Brothers All” – please do not let the title put you off.  In using these words, the Pope was quoting St Francis of Assisi who used this term to address all women and men, all who are sisters and brothers.  It has already been suggested that this latest document of the Holy Father should be both read and prayed because it is "nothing less than a way to reread and to live the Gospel for our times."

The Encyclical will be available in print some time but it can be read and downloaded from http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20201003_enciclica-fratelli-tutti.html

Please do not drive or park in the Catholic Centre grounds to drop off or pick up your children.

Due to the major works at the Cathedral, it is dangerous to children crossing the carpark due to trucks and work vehicles so park in the surrounding streets.

The parks at the Catholic Centre are for staff and visitors to the Centre only.

 Information fron the Ministry of Education 

1. Schools are open and must operate safely.
   At Alert Level, 1 the virus is contained in New Zealand but not overseas. We  have our systems and practices in place in case COVID-19 reappears in our community.
    
2. There are no restrictions on personal movement at Alert Level 1 – all children and staff should be at school.

The only people who will need to stay away are:

• Those required to self-isolate
• Individuals who health authorities have asked to stay away while waiting for a test result 
• Children, students and staff who are unwell.

3. Testing remains a crucial component in preventing an outbreak.
   If a child or staff member is sick, they should stay home.  If they have cold or flu symptoms they should call their doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice about getting tested.
    
4. Schools will close for cleaning and contact tracing if there is a confirmed case who was infectious when at school.
   Our Director of Education will work closely with us should this occur. 
    
5. You must continue to support contact tracing through the display of QR Code posters or visitor register.
   If a new case does appear in the community, contact tracing processes will support the speedy identification of close contacts of the confirmed case. 
    
6. There are no restrictions on numbers at gatherings.
   Schools, like workplaces are not considered to be gatherings.  Physical activities including cultural and sporting activities, practices and events can go ahead.
    
7. Fundamental public health measures continue to apply:

• Hand hygiene
• Cough and sneeze etiquette
• Regularly cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces.  Face coverings continue not to be required when in school.
  This includes school transport and charter buses hired by the school to transport students and staff to and from school.  Anyone who chooses to wear a face covering in any setting should be supported to do so.
   

The children in the Junior School shared maths learning with families this afternoon. There was a lot of different mathematical equipment being used and a lot of mathematical chit chat.

NZMaths is a great website for families to use check out the families tab.

https://nzmaths.co.nz/families-and-whanau

The Central Zone Speech competition was held at Mt Cook School last night.  Thank you to Judy, Lana's Grandma who judged our Senior Syndicate Sacred Heart Cathedral School Speech Competition.  Congratulations to the four students chosen to represent our school at this competition.  These four youngsters were incredible ambassadors for our school and they never cease to amaze me.

Thank you also to our staff and families who supported the children on the night. 

Veronica Rm 7, "Why girls shouldn't have to wear dresses and skirts as uniform."  This was a well presented speech that really made everyone sit up and listen.  Veronica filled in for Ava who was unwell yesterday and was just simply superb. Placed 1st in Central Zone.

Keiffer Rm 6, "Why children should read books."  Watching Keiffer in action was like watching a Ted Talk.  Keiffer was very confident and precise.  Placed 2nd in Central Zone.

Tyler Rm 10, "Imagination."  Well done, Tyler.  You are very easy to listen to and your content was so well researched.  Placed 2nd in Central Zone.

Kezia Rm 10, "Cross Country."  Kezia is one persusasive young lady.  We loved the way you integrated humour into your delivery.

Congratulations to Yulia R8 for her successful audition to perform with the Royal NZ Ballet!  Well done, Yulia!

Congratulations and well done to Jack Rm9 and his team with the Wellington Hockey U13 for winning 2nd Place. He was also awarded with Team Leadership Award.

Congratulations to Carles Rm 5 for getting a gold certificate on Mathletics. Good job, Carles!

Come dressed in anything "Pink" as Sacred Heart Cathedral School says NO to bullying.

Dear  Parents and Caregivers,

This Friday, 16th October will be the last day to order your peanut butter for the month of October. Please click the link below to book your orders now.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Gl0W0FC86UqyZucPoqvdkZ3ug6RXNtLqtW2wH44SgSE/edit

Thank you for your generous support to our school.

Next week, Monday, 19th October to Friday, 23rd October is 'Walk or Wheel to School' week.

Tennis lessons begin again this Thursday, 15th October at lunchtime.  If you are interested in your child taking tennis lessons, please contact Tony Naughton on (04) 3845233, 0272339082 or email:  tnsquash@gmail.com

The Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon will be held at Kilbirnie Park on Sunday, 21 March 2021.  It is designed for Kiwi kids aged 7-15 years to help them stay active and healthy through a programme of participation.  Participants get to swim, cycle, and run their way around age appropriate courses, either as an individual or as part of a team of two.  We have registered Sacred Heart Cathedral School for the 2021 TRYathlon so, if you are planning on registering your child for the TRYathlon, please register via our school group link using my details as the school coordinator (Suzanne Adair, suzanneadair@hotmail.com): https://www.registernow.com.au/secure/Register.aspx?E=40601&G=120377

Please register early as places always sell out quickly!