Newsletter No. 5 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

1 March 2016 Dear Parents

Each year the Church gives us six weeks to take a long, loving look at our lives to see if our values and priorities are in line with God’s desires for us. At different times we find that we’ve wandered from God’s path, Lent becomes that second chance, or do-over, to “return to God with our whole heart.”

Lenten Reflection – Gardening for Lent First plant five rows of peas: Preparedness, Promptness, Perseverance, Politeness and Prayer Next to them plant three rows of squash: Squash gossip, Squash criticism, Squash indifference Then plant five rows of lettuce: Let us be faithful, Let us be loyal, Let us be unselfish, Let us love one another, Let us be truthful No garden is complete without turnips: Turn up for Mass, Turn up with a smile, Turn up with a new idea, Turn up with a real determination Then see what a wonderful garden you can grow St Francis of Assisi Parish requires children to train and be Altar servers for the Saturday and Sunday Masses in all 3 of the churches of the parish. The children need to be in Years 6, 7 or 8. Parents are asked to talk with their children about this and contact the parish office if they are able to assist with this. This is a wonderful way for children to provide service to their church community. On Sunday at St Andrew’s Church the Inaugural Mass for the parish of St Francis of Assisi Ohariu was celebrated by Cardinal John Dew. This Mass signalled a new beginning for the communities of Khandallah, Johnsonville and Newlands and we can all look to the future with a positive spirit as we work to make our new parish one faith community. This Thursday we will be celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation with Father Doug in the school library at 11.00am.

Key Dates March

8 Yr 8 Sausage Sizzle

9 Stations of the Cross at St Benedict’s Church 7.00pm

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

May

2 Term 2 begins

Thank you to everyone who was able to come along to the Meet the Teacher evening last week. We had a fantastic turnout and were pleased to be able to talk with parents about the year ahead. The presentation from this evening can be viewed on our school website under About Us – Curriculum – Meet the Teacher. This provides some useful information especially about what you can do to support your children with their homework, reading and maths at home. In the drop down menu under the curriculum there are also digital documents titled “Supporting Your Child’s Learning” that provide you with information about what children at each year level need to be doing to achieve the national standards and how you can help at home. You can access them by clicking on this link http://www.st-benedicts.school.nz/?page_id=704 We were blessed with a sunny, if a little windy, day for the annual school picnic last Thursday and it was great to see everyone having such a good time and joining in the fun and activities together. I would like to thank all of the parents and Father Doug who came along and joined in on the day. Thank you also Mrs Taylor and the teachers for their organisation of this day. This is a great way to begin our school year together as a community; see the photos below. Next Wednesday, students from St Benedict’s School will be leading the Stations of the Cross at 7.00pm in St Benedict’s Church. Tomorrow March 2

nd and on Wednesday 23

rd the Stations will be D.I.Y. – a variety of booklets will

be available for those attending to make their stations as an individual or small group; a member of the Liturgy Team will organise and facilitate this for any who need assistance. Reconciliation will be available on each of these Wednesdays from 7.30pm. The Sacrament of First Reconciliation will take place on Wednesday 16 March at 6.30pm for all those who are completing their Sacraments this year. All parishioners are invited to celebrate the Sacrament with the children and receive Reconciliation. There will be a number of priests available. Invoices will be sent home this week for the school. Please note that the invoices sent form St Benedict’s School relate to school related activities and costs. Attendance dues which parents will also receive an invoice for at this time of the year are separate from the school invoices and are paid to the Archdiocese of Wellington. Information about attendance dues is available on our school website in the drop down menu under enrolment. If for any reason anyone would like to discuss school charges, donations or attendance dues please contact Dave Lamont at school or Father Doug on 479 7777.

Last week (Monday-Sunday) our solar panels generated 139kWh of solar energy. Our school page can be viewed by clicking on the St Benedict’s School Schoolgen link: http://schoolgen.co.nz/schoolgen-schools/st-benedicts-school.

Please continue to remind your children about not walking on the garden area behind the chalet at the front of the school. Please continue to make sure you are sending your children to school in the correct school uniform and that they all have their sun hats with them. We still have a number of children at school without sunhats. Kind regards Dave Lamont, Principal

Enviro News

WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL-GROWING NEIGHBOURHOODS PROJECT:

This week children will be bringing home a packet of seeds as part of a Growing Neighbourhoods project which

includes Local Food Week (13-20 March) and Neighbour Day Aotearoa (Sat 19 and Sun 20 March). Check out

the websites for more information: wellingtongovt.nz/localfoodweek and wellington.govt.nz/neighboursday.

Each seed packet also contains a neighbours card for families to record their neighbours details, in case of an

emergency. The seed mixes are salad and stir-fry. The City Council team would love to see photos of the

vegetables and they can be emailed to wellynextdoor@wcc.govt.nz

Year 8 SAUSAGE SIZZLE * Year 8 SAUSAGE SIZZLE *

The Year 8 students are fundraising for their Yearbook and will be holding a Sausage Sizzle next

Tuesday 8th March:

Sausages - $2.00 Cupcakes - $1.00 Juice – 50 cents

Thank you for your support.

WEEKLY REFLECTION - thoughts from St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of our new

Parish

"Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance."

St Francis of Assisi

HOK Notices…

Help…. Two More Parent Reps Needed!! We are still looking for parent reps for Rooms 8 & 10 If you can help please email Angela at angela@thetrotters.net with your details.

16th October 2016 11am-2pm

Calling all crafters and DIY makers! Do you have a passion to make crafts? Are you handy with a glue gun? A sewing machine? Knitting needles? Or just generally artistic! Would you be willing to make some items for our craft stall? We are currently looking for volunteers to start making items. It is never too early to start stockpiling your crafts so if you are keen and able to assist please email Catherine at stbenedictsfair@gmail.com

St Ben’s Foodie Friends

St Benedict’s has a group of parents called Foodie Friends who provide a meal for families going through such things as celebrating a new baby, experiencing an illness or coping with something unexpected. Volunteers average one or two meals a year, and the more members we have, the fewer meals everyone has to do each year. Let me know if you're keen to join - sharonlundy@hotmail.com - and please let me or your class rep know if there's a family who we can help out. Thanks, Sharon Gilhooly

Welcome and Thank You

We would like to welcome to HoK Robyn Wishart who has kindly volunteered to be our new Treasurer. Thank you Robyn. Thank you to Andrea Jetly and Angela Trotter for running another very successful uniform sale earlier this year. We really appreciate the effort that goes into this, both as a fundraiser and as a service to our school families. Thanks also to their helpers on the day; Suzie McIntyre, Sharon Gilhooly, Sam Walker, Anne-Marie Cassidy. The Uniform Sale raised approximately $700! Have a great week! HoK Team Any queries, ideas or concerns please email: hok@st-benedicts.school.nz

Sports Notices & Student Achievements

CONGRATULATIONS to Sean Dimen who has been selected for the North Wellington Junior Football Club's Grade 9 streamed team. Well done Sean. NETBALL REGISTRATION – Registration form attached If you are NOT playing netball this season - please return your uniform to the school office a.s.a.p (with your name on the bag). If you are STILL playing netball please email the type of uniform you have; dress size and code (number or letter) and name, year or skort and size. Thank you, Viv Collier, St Ben’s Netball Co-ordinator

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

Olivia B Maricar

Ben, Hugo

Liam, Alicia

Regina, Cole

Reserves (Jacob, Archie Ethan)

(Adam, Alicia Marguerite)

(Adam, Neeve, Sandrine, Jennifer)

(Eve, Harrison Marguerite, Jennifer)

(Betty, Lara, Tyler, Jennifer)

PM Jigs I, Amelia, Kate, Olivia W

Lottie, Grace W, Gemma & Sandrine

Alex B, Billy, Caoimhe, Niamh W

Avania, Katherine, Henry

Billy, Jack, Sam, Eve

Reserve

(Tyler) ( Julia, Katie, Rosie)

( Lawrence, Katie, Caitlin D)

(Katie, Cole)

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

Term 1

Tuesday 1 March Duggan family

Wednesday 2 March Edwardson family

Thursday 3 March Fair family

Friday 4 March Faitaua family

Monday 7 March Faraon family

Tuesday 8 March Florance family

Wednesday 9 March Flutey family

Thursday 10 March Gardner family

Friday 11 March Gehlen family

COMMUNITY NOTICES RENOUF TENNIS CENTRE Autumn Holiday indoor tennis camp. Ages 5 – 9 plus, 18 – 22 April & 25 – 29 April, 9am – 12:30pm or 9am-

3pm. Half day - $250 Full day - $480. Program includes – top class tennis coaching, team competition, prize giving & awards, optional child sitting service (3-6pm). Email: Tristan@planitpro.co.nz Ph: 385 6294 Mobile: 027 357 1221 ONSLOW JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB - FIRST KICKS It is not too late to register your child for 'First Kicks'. First Kicks is a very popular

introduction to football for boys & girls, turning 5 or 6 this calendar year. Our objectives are participation, fun & skill development. Registrations close Sunday March 6. Please see www.onslow.org.nz for more information and registration. GIRLS BASKETBALL CAMP Date: Monday April 18th (first week of school holidays), Time: 9am to 3.30pm, Place: ASB Sports Centre, KilbIrnie Price: $60 . Description: The Girls Basketball Camp will allow participating girls to receive inspiration & training from

Wellington’s top basketball women in a supportive & engaging environment. The camp will cover core skills, techniques & scrimmaging in a friendly & supportive atmosphere. Register online: www.wellingtonbasketball.co.nz NORTHERN UNITED JUNIOR HOCKEY CLUB Based in Newlands, we are your local hockey club for children in school years 3 to 8.

Players of all skill levels welcome! NEW 2016 REGISTRATION CLOSING DATES 11-a-side: 4th March – register now! 6-a-side: 20th March. Pre-season training Wednesdays from 24 Feb . Years 7 & 8 (11-a-side) trials: 6th & 12th March, 2-5 pm. Plus: Have a Go Hockey: $15 for 3 fun, no-obligation sessions. 4-5 pm, 24 Feb, 2 & 9 March, Newlands. Full details: www.nujhc.org.nz nujhc@gmail.com THE INCREDIBLE LITTLE SPROUTS EASTER COUNTRY FAIR IS BACK - one week before Easter – on Sunday, 20th March - from

10 am - 2.00 pm. This wonderful fair is at the Battle Hill Farm Forest Park & there is so much to do for young & old. The Fair features quality craft, plant & art stalls, delicious hot food, baking, sweets, jams & preserves, local produce & mojo coffee, jazz music & even classic cars - including Ferraris, Corvettes, hot rods & more. Plus all the fun of a true country fair - Clydesdale cart rides, fire engine rides, llamas, pony rides, air castles, driver a digger, country games, magicians and face painters, a quiet zone for young children, Easter craft & Easter Bunny & MUCH more… PLUS a fabulous children's scavenger hunt! Entry to the fair is FREE & scavenger hunt tickets are on sale NOW for only $7.50 each with a prize bag for EVERY ticket holder & special golden egg prizes for 1 out of every 10. Last year tickets sold out in only TWO WEEKS, so get in quick! Order your scavenger hunt tickets and find out more at

www.littlesproutseastercountryfair.co.nz/ Every cent from ticket sales & all proceeds from the Fair go to the Little Sprouts Charitable Trust to help give all babies the very best start in life! You can even sponsor tickets which will be given for free to families in real need via our charity partners (like the Neonatal Trust, Women's Refuge, Barnardos, Red Cross, and many, many more). KIDS GO FREE AT STAGLANDS ON CHILDREN’S DAY Staglands Wildlife Reserve will be celebrating Children’s Day on Sunday 6th March by offering FREE ADMISSION into The Reserve for ALL CHILDREN. In addition to their usual attractions visitors can enjoy free off-road tractor-trailer rides plus a special performance from The Major Minors Children’s Choir. So if you are looking for a fun Children’s day outing for the whole family, meet at Staglands and connect with nature on Sunday 6th March. 2362 Akatarawa Road, Upper Hutt REMINDER - mobile blood drive in Johnsonville coming up soon! Appointments are preferred & will take priority. please call 0800 give blood to make one today! Save lives give blood. Where: Johnsonville community centre, 3 Frankmoore Avenue, Johnsonville When: Thursday 3 march from 9.00am until 2.00pm. Please make sure you have had plenty to drink & something substantial to eat in

the four hours prior to donating & that you bring a form of identification, i.e. driver's licence or student id. LEARN TO PLAY TENNIS It’s never too late…come & try it out with evolve tennis coaching! We have tennis coaching available for all

ages (4 yrs +) and abilities! Check out our website for more details: www.evolvetenniscoaching.co.nz CHEERLEADING WITH ALL STAR VICTORY CHEERLEADERS A great team sport that includes, stunts, tumble, jumps, pyramid &

flexibility. A really fun way of gaining co ordination, fitness & strength, using team work & discipline. Teams for beginners to experienced. Competitive or Non competitive. Boys & Girls. We have trained experienced successful coaches on board. At The Circus Hub, 11 Hutchinson St ( beside the School of Perfoming Arts Toi Whakari & the NZ School of Dance). Free trail classes are available Contact us on allstarvictory@gmail.com Or call /text Julie 02765626021 , 044773107 SPRINGBOARD & PLATFORM DIVING AT KILBIRNIE POOL Wellington Diving Club has a range of diving classes for kids aged 5

years & up. Why not try something new this year? Visit our website & come along for a free trial! We have many after-school sessions on most days and cater for kids of any level from beginners to competitive. We are also running our fun casual sessions on Sundays. For more information, please visit our website www.wellingtondiving.org.nz or call/text Maria on 021-173-6866. 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 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

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