Newsletter No. 1 Khandallah Absence Phone No: 939-3878 Answer Phone: 479-6878

Fax: 479-3879

Email: office@st-benedicts.school.nz Website: www.st-benedicts.school.nz

3 February 2016 Dear Parents We warmly welcome and welcome back to St Benedict’s School the following families; Abia (Rm 11) & Raina (Rm 8) John, Owen Pieries (Rm 11), Alex (Rm 11) & Emily (Rm 7) Humphrey, Joshua Mzila (Rm 10), Emily-Kei (Rm 11) & Sophia (Rm 9) Brewerton, Elyse Anderson (Rm 12), Eléni (Rm 9) & Sienna (Rm 5) Chu, Aariya Paul (Rm 7) , Ashaan & Rohaan Paul (Rm 4), Monica Atmadja (Rm 6), Nandana Ramachandran (Rm 5), Eva Diamond (Rm 5), Dylan Vickery (Rm 3), Alice Gomes da Costa (Rm 3) and to Room 2, Lara Garrity, Violett Foskett, Gabriella Clareburt and Penny O’Styke.

On behalf of our staff, I welcome everyone to the new school year and hope that everyone had a good break and managed to spend some quality family time together. We are looking forward to the term ahead. It is great to see the children arrive back at school happy and ready to get into their learning. Thank you to Father Doug for offering a special blessing to our students, staff and parents this morning. There is a lot going on both in and out of the classroom this term so we encourage you to keep a close eye on key dates for the term and read all newsletters that are sent home. We also welcome Mrs Jacqui Miranda and Miss Anneke Corich-Hermans to our staff. Mrs Miranda will be teaching in Room 7 (upstairs in Tui Block) as well as taking on the Director of Religious Studies role and Miss Corich-Hermans will be teaching in Room 6 (downstairs in Tui Block). We are delighted to have them both join our staff this year. Next Wednesday 10

th February we will be holding a

beginning of year Mass at St Benedict’s Church at 9.15am where we come together as a community to celebrate the beginning of a new school year. This is also Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent when we begin preparations for Easter. Mrs Miranda Miss Corich-Hermans Everyone is welcome to join us for this Mass.

Key Dates February

8 Waitangi Day – School closed

10 Ash Wednesday – 9:15am Mass

12 Swimming begins – Years 1 - 6

12 Young Leaders Day

17 Swimming begins – Years 7 & 8

17 Board of Trustees Meeting

18 School Picnic – Bishop Park, Eastbourne

24 Meet the teacher evening

28 St Francis of Assisi of Ohariu Parish Inauguration Mass

March

14-18 Yr 8 – OPC camp

14-18 Yr 7 EOTC Week

24 HOLY THURSDAY

Stations of the Cross at St Benedict’s Church 11.15 am

25 GOOD FRIDAY (school closed)

28 EASTER MONDAY (school closed)

29 EASTER TUESDAY (school closed)

30 – 1 April Yr 6 Camp

April

7 Mission Fair

13/14 Parent Interviews

15 End of Term 1

Swimming begins next week and will continue throughout the term. This will take place every Friday for students in Years 1-6 and every Wednesday from week 3, for students in Years 7 & 8. Please see the syndicate newsletters for more information about school swimming and make sure the children bring their swimming gear each week. We invite you to our Meet the Teacher Evening on Tuesday 24

th February.

This is an opportunity to meet the staff in each syndicate and to be informed about each syndicate’s programme and expectations. We will begin in the library with a brief overview of each area of the school and then you will have the opportunity to visit your child’s class and meet your child’s teacher. The annual school picnic is on Thursday 18

th February so mark this date in your diary. This is always a fun

community-building day and is a great way to get our year off to a good start. As we are going to be at the beach and swimming at the Eastbourne Pool, we need to obtain permission from you for your child to attend. Please email the office or return the slip which is included in this newsletter. Everyone is welcome to join us for this day.

Please ensure that your child has a school sun hat with them at all times. We enforce a “no hat no play policy” in Terms 1 and 4. This means that children without a hat spend their lunchtime in the shaded area outside the office. This is to help protect our children from the risk of skin cancer. We also love to see the children wearing their uniform with pride. The full uniform is listed on our school website and all uniform enquiries should be directed to the school office. We ask that everyone who uses the drop off and pick up parking spaces at the front of the chalet in Nicholson Road don’t leave their car unattended while in these parking spaces. We have only a small space available and it works well when everyone is courteous of others and uses it as intended before and after school. There are usually parking spaces further along Nicholson Road, Everest Street and Ganges Road before and after school.

During the holidays we had some dead and dangerous trees cut down on the school grounds. There are 3 piles of rounds that have been left on the grounds and on upper Nicholson Road. If anyone would like to collect this for fire wood please contact the school office to arrange a time. Kind regards Dave Lamont, Principal

School Picnic The annual school picnic at Bishop Park, Eastbourne takes place on Thursday 19th February. This is a community building day where the whole school spends the day at Eastbourne and takes part in a sand castle making competition, swimming in the Eastbourne pool and ice blocks to finish the day at the beach.

The children will be travelling by bus, leaving school at 9:00am and returning to school approx 2:40pm.

Children will wear mufti to the picnic and need to bring lunch, a large drink, a towel, swimming togs, plastic bag for wet gear, and a sunhat. Please also ensure that your child has plenty of sun block on and something warm to put on in case the weather turns cold.

School Picnic - email office@st-benedicts.school.nz I give permission for my child/children ____________________________________Rm/s________ to attend the school picnic at Bishop Park in Eastbourne. I am able/ unable to stay and help with supervision on the day. I will be collecting my child/children from Bishop Park and transporting them home myself. Yes/No Parent/Caregiver Name: ______________________________________ Phone: _______________ Parent/Caregiver Signature: _____________________________________

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME Last call for enrolments for the St Benedict's Church School Sacramental Programme for 2016. Please contact Mike Byrne or Clare Sinnott on 0273146141 or mike-clare@xtra.co.nz if you want your child in Year 4 or above to participate this year. An information evening about the programme for parents/caregivers will be held on Tuesday, 9 February at 7pm in the foyer of the St Benedict's church."

CHESS LESSONS St Benedict’s School Staffroom. Fridays 3pm to 4pm term 1 from 12th February to 15th April. Joining cost $85 inclusive of GST (for 9 weeks). FIND OUT MORE: http://kiwichess.ediy.co.nz/ EMAIL kiwichess@xtra.co.nz Phone Scott: 021 1557403 or 4617079

HOK Notices… Happy New Year and welcome back!

Parent representatives for 2016 We are looking for volunteers to be the parent rep for their child’s class for 2016. The main roles of the parent reps are…. * creating a email list for all the parents in the class * being the contact person for the HOK committee for communications to parents * suggesting parents social gatherings. If you would like to a parent rep please email Angela at angela@thetrotters.net with your details.

Help our Kids (HOK) meeting

Our first HOK team meeting will be held on Monday 15 February at 7.30pm in the school staffroom. Do you have great new fundraising ideas? Are you a great organiser? Do you want to meet parents from other classes? We would love to hear your ideas or feedback. There is NO pressure to join the team just simply come along to listen – everyone welcome!

HOK Facebook page

HOK is on Facebook, please log on and like our page to keep up to date with events and activities https://www.facebook.com/StBensHOK

Sports Notices & Student Achievements

CONGRATULATIONS to Jason Venn and Max Young who were put forward to trial for the Under11 Western Bays Softball reps which were held Sunday 31st Jan and Monday 1st Feb. Both Jason and Max, in their first year of softball, made the representative team. Well done and good luck for the tournament. WEETBIX TRIATHLON 2016 Registrations have opened for entering the Weetbix Kids Triathlon 2016. Please visit the website http://try.weetbix.co.nz and decide whether you would like to complete it on your own or as a team of two. Enter all your details and link to St Benedict’s School (so the school can go into a draw to win sporting equipment!). It is a fun full day and a nice way to get the school community together (sit together). Any further queries, please email mvcollier@paradise.net.nz (Viv Collier)

KELLYS SPORTS TERM 1

Kelly Sports will be back in Term 1 with their fun and exciting classes. Kelly Sports encourages children to have fun, build confidence and to give sport a go. We believe that sport and physical activity has so much to offer young people; it improves fitness, develops communication skills, team work and gives children a place to channel their energy. Summer Sports (Yrs 1-4) – Tuesdays 3:05-4:05pm - Come and try Football, Cricket, Handball and Turbo Touch. Learn new skills and improve ability, try 2 weeks each of these sports. We use games & drills to teach game sense and team play. It’s a great way to try new sports, improve skills and maintain fitness – all while having a great time! Football Skills Programme: Kelly Sports is running an 8 week football skills programme at West Rugby Club Rooms, Ian Galloway Park on Wednesdays (3.30-4.30pm). This programme is designed to cover both individual and team skills including, Game rules, Ball control, Dribbling, Passing, Tackling, Defence, Team work, Goalkeeping, Practice & Warm up drills for players and teams. It is an ideal way to improve skills and confidence for the Summer Series Competition. For full details and to enrol into our programmes visit www.kellysports.co.nz email adminwgtn@kellysports.co.nz or call 04 972 7201.

ASB SCHOOL BANKING Has your child been registered for School Banking? If not please ask at the office for a form to sign up for their Head Start Saving Account. Once your child has been registered they will receive a Kid’s School Banking pack which will include a piggy bank, calculator, savings diary and deposit envelopes to help them get started. For easy and convenient banking for your child, the ASB has provided a Deposit Drop Box in the office area where your child can make their regular savings deposit. Emma McCallum

PARENT ROAD PATROL

Parents: Please be present from 8:30-9:00am and again from 2:50-3:15pm

SCHOOL PATROL ROSTER TERM 1, 2016

AM Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Billy Lara

Neeve Maricar

Ben, Hugo

Liam, Alicia

Jacob, Cole

Reserves (Jacob, Archie Ethan)

(Adam, Alicia Marguerite)

(Adam, Neeve, Sandrine)

(Eve, Harrison Marguerite)

(Betty, Lara, Tyler)

PM Jigs I, Amelia, Kate, Olivia W

Lottie, Grace W, Gemma & Sandrine

Wilson-Jack, Billy, Caoimhe, Niamh W

Jesse, Avania, Katherine, Henry

Billy, Jack, Sam, Harrison

Reserve

(Daniel & Tyler) ( Julia, Katie, Rosie)

( Jesse) ( Lawrence, Katie, Caitlin D)

(Katie, Cole)

(Parents, please remind your children to be on time for their duty)

COMMUNITY NOTICES MOGMUSIC Private tuition available PIANO BEGINNERS from age 5, RECORDER BEGINNERS from age 7, GUITAR BEGINNERS

from age 8, UKULELE BEGINNERS from age 7, TRUMPET BEGINNERS from age 8, VIOLIN BEGINNERS from age 5, Places available now. All lessons held at MOGMUSIC studio in Brooklyn. Please phone MOGGIE GRAYSON 3848-213 to book in. $20 will be donated to the school for each new enrolment. DANCEPOINTE ACADEMY has Tap classes Thursday afternoons at Khandallah Town Hall in 2016 for Boys and Girls from 6years -

13years. For information with regards to levels/fees/uniform/enrollment/Free Trial class contact Sharon dancepointenz@gmail.com www.dancepointe.co.nz mobile 021-2151222 THE GINGERBREAD MAN Written by Sarah Delahunty, Directed by Mary Collie-Holmes, Produced by Khandallah Arts Theatre. At

Khandallah Park, Woodmancote Road, Khandallah, (if the weather is doubtful phone 499 4444 two hours before the show. Alternate venue, Cashmere Avenue School, Cashmere Avenue, Khandallah) Dates February 2016, Sat13 & Sunday 14, 3 pm & 4 pm, Sat 20 &

Sunday 21, 3 pm and 4 pm, Friday 19 at 6 pm. How much? A gold coin donation. How long? The play takes just under one hour . Details of the play: The gingerbread man is made to be eaten – Can he run fast enough to get away? And who will help him? A story about about stories and changing ends. It has all the humour, excitement and audience participation to make for great family entertainment. So bring your children, bring the neighbours & have a picnic. Jillian Carpenter , e-mail jillianc@clear.net.nz WONDERPLAY DRAMA CLASSES have places available in this term for 5-8yr & 9-12 year olds as well as teens in our famous Young

Actors Class. Classes are on Tuesdays at Churton Park Community Centre. First lesson is free to try. Please contact Debs wonderplydrama@gmail.com 021-172-2836, www.wonderplay.co.nz LAUREN SIMPKINS MUSIC Singing & Piano Lessons in Churton Park. Bachelor of Music (Performance) (Honours) (Melbourne

University) LTCL (Performance) (Distinction) (Trinity College) For beginners through to advanced Enquire now for Term 1! lauren.simpkins@gmail.com 022 642 1621 www.laurensimpkins.com QUALIFIED/EXPERIENCED LOCAL PIANO & KEYBOARD TEACHER AVAILABLE AFTER SCHOOL (PRIVATE & GROUP LESSONS) * POP, MODERN & CLASSICAL ALL LEVELS * SPECIALIST IN JAZZ & CREATIVE MUSIC EDUCATION

- BMus, (Jazz), BSc, Dip. Teach, Dip ABRSM, IRMT (NZ). - Teaching references available. International Experience - Studio Bombay Street, Ngaio - Competitive rates & flexible teaching times.- 20% discount on first lesson, book 10 & get one free!. Contact Pieter to discuss a unique, fun & skilled approach to learning piano or keyboard for your child in 2016! Cell # 0212056473 pjbosman@hotmail.com www.pieterbos.co.nz NANNY AVAILABLE looking to support myself through my 2nd year of my Commerce degree in finance & commercial law, at Victoria

University. Due in Wellington from the 30thJanuary & looking for hours before 9.30am & after 2.30pm every weekday & may also be available for two full days during the week. I have my full license & my own reliable car, so can pick up groceries or do errands as well as pick up & drop off your children. I have had previous nanny experience & love children. Please text or phone Michaela Roberts on 021906119 or email me on robertmich7@myvuw.ac.nz.

Term 1

Tuesday

Wednesday 3 Feb Cassidy family

Thursday 4 Feb Catalan family

Friday 5 Feb Cheminais family

Monday 8 Feb Waitangi day holiday

Tuesday 9 Feb TBC

Wednesday 10 Feb Collier family

Thursday 11 Feb Craig family

Friday 12 Feb Coulter family

THE GRAND OPENING OF THE CAPITAL BMX CLUB’S NEW BMX TRACK in Ian Galloway Park Karori will be on Sunday 28

February. The new BMX track will be a fantastic asset for Wellington offering an international standard UCI level BMX track complete with a pro-line. BMX riding is a great sport for both children & adults – those wanting to ride for fun & those wanting to ride competitively. Riders need to join & represent a BMX Club & also pay a BMX NZ licence fee. Capital BMX Club are offering a year’s membership for $50 for the first family member or $90 for the whole family. BMX NZ Licence fees range from $25 to $70 which allows for inter-club racing. Membership will include regular training as well as Club race-day events. To join or for more information contact info@capitalbmx.co.nz or www.capitalbmx.co.nz and “Like” our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/capitalbmxnz/

HOK Sponsors

Thank you to businesses and individuals that sponsor and support St Benedict’s School. We acknowledge and appreciate their support and ask that you use them when you can.

http://www.salonvillair.co.nz