Holy Cross School Miramar eNewsletter

Kia ora e te whānau,

As we head towards the later stages of the year we are seeing lots of tired but excited students. Today I want to focus on safety in our physical environment but also our digital environments. ,

Keeping Kids Safe Online

Netsafe recommends these simple steps to help protect your children in today’s digital world:

Talk Regularly About Online Safety

Ask about their favorite apps and games.
Discuss the risks of sharing personal information or engaging with strangers.
Set Clear Expectations

Agree on device-free times and appropriate apps for their age.

Encourage respectful and responsible online behavior.
Use Parental Controls.

Activate privacy settings and restrict inappropriate content.

Monitor activity to stay informed about their online interactions.

Teach Them What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

Show them how to block/report harmful content or users.
Reassure them that they won’t be blamed if they come to you for help.

Be a Role Model

Demonstrate safe and balanced technology use yourself.
Connect With Resources

Visit netsafe.org.nz for advice, tools, and support.

Road Safety at School Drop Offs

You may have noticed an increase in parking wardens around the school. The reason for this is to help keep our students safe after school. When we park on yellow lines or in places we shouldn’t we make it harder for our tamariki to do road patrol. I’m often out on duty on Friday afternoons and it gets increasingly harder for our children to see over cars to do their job properly. I will often walk out onto the road for them to see if they can open up their signs safely.

To keep our children safe you can help by not parking on:

broken yellow lines
on the footpath
on or near a school crossing
in the school driveway
in a bus stop or the school bus bay

2025 Staff - A special welcome to Mia, Evelyn and Penny!

It is a privilege to introduce you to 3 of our new staff members. Mia who will be teaching in Rm 11, Evelyn who will teaching in Rm 2 and Penny who is a new release teacher.

Ko Mia Doogue tōku ingoa. I will be the kaiako in Room 11 next year, and am so excited to be a part of your beautiful kura community. I tipu ake au ki Ōpōtiki, engari e noho ana au ki te Whanaganui a Tara. My interests include anything outdoorsy, competitive board games with my friends, and spending time with my whānau. I have a passion for the arts, especially drawing and singing. I can’t wait to get to know all of you in 2025!

Kia ora e te whānau, ko Evelyn Wilson tōku ingoa! I grew up in Te Papaioea, where my love for whānau, nature, and community began. As a passionate kaiako, I am all about creating a warm, inclusive classroom where kindness, honesty, and learning thrive. I enjoy weaving te reo Māori me ngā tikanga Māori into our learning, fostering a space where all tamariki feel supported and inspired to shine. I believe in the power of strong relationships and the special character of Holy Cross School and look forward to working alongside ākonga, whānau, and colleagues to build a vibrant kura community. Ngā mihi nui!

Kia ora koutou,

I am thrilled to be joining the wonderful team at Holy Cross School as a part time kaiako. I am passionate about ensuring equity in education - learning for all and learning for life! I am delighted to already have connections with some current whānau and kaiakos at HCS and I look forward beginning with you all in 2025.

Penny Duncan

Final Events in Term 4

Here are a few important events coming up this term;

Whole School - Christmas Liturgy, 12th December at 6pm
Year 8 Graduation - 18th December at 6pm.
Whole School Beach Day - 19th December at Worser Bay Beach (more details to come).

Ngā mihi nui,

Tala Moemai

Sunday the 1st of December is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is a season in the liturgical year that brings to mind the Two Comings of Christ.

We remember the Birth of Christ and we are also reminded of Christians awaiting Christ's Second Coming at the end of time. Advent is a period for devout and joyful expectation. The color violet or purple is used in Advent and Lent. There are four Sundays of Advent.

Traditionally, the Advent wreath is a circle of evergreen branches. The shape of the wreath, with no beginning or end, reflects the complete and endless love that Jesus has for us and the hope of eternal life. The candles represent Jesus coming as the light in darkness. Sometimes a white candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to symbolize that Jesus is with us. This can be referred to as the "Christ candle."

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Room 5

This term we are looking at how plays are written as part of our literacy programme and have written and performed our own plays. In Maths we are looking at time, telling analogue and digital time as well as using timetables and calendars. We are researching a Saint we are interested in and inspired by as part of our R.E work this term and looking at Te Moana finding out about New Zealand sea creatures in Inquiry. We have a trip to Government House to see their gardens and hangi pit as well as looking around the house.It continues to be a very busy term!

Room 3

Yesterday we went to Government House! We went on a bus for 15 minutes. There were three tour guides - Richard, Kate and Heather. Do you know whats funny? It was Richard's and Rory's birthday! We went inside the house but we were not allowed upstairs because that was Dame Cindy's place. Fun fact! Did you know that Dame Cindy's last name is Kiro. My favourite part of the trip was the ball room! In that room there were two chairs and they were meant for the Queen or King or the Governor-General. When we went in one room there was a very long table. There was a chair for each city of New Zealand. (Fun fact) guess how many hours it takes to set the table? Four hours! Back to the text. On the table there were two glass birds. They were really cool. There were two golden chandeliers. It was really fancy! By Emily

In the Government House I saw a really heavy ball. I tried to lift it but it was impossible to lift. So we all lifted at the same time because it was a cannon ball. In Government House I went to a library. I saw a very big and thick book. By Michael

Yesterday in the morning my class and Room 5 went to Government House. We went to learn about Community, Service and to also see their Hangi pit. On the way we sang lots of songs. Once we got there they had to do a security check. We had to wait for a while. Then we went to the gate of Government House. It magically opened. Once the bus door opened everyone rushed out then we went into the garage. It looked so fancy. Heather, Kate and Richard told us the plan. Once they had finished we made our way to the hangi pit. It was huge. It looked burnt inside. Next to the pit there was a house. Someone used to live there but then they moved because it was so cold. The person that lived there had to leave their heaters on for a year. We got split into groups. The year 4's went with Richard, the year 5's went with Kate and the year 6's went with Heather. Heather had been at the Government House for 11 years. Kate has been there for 3 years and I don't know about Richard. I think the most special spot or room is the dining room with pictures on the seats. I like that room because it has a nice back story to it. A really sad part to the back story was about a teacher. She brought a chair to school. She let her students stitch a little bit of the chair because it was for the Queen. But when they were waiting at Government House she never came. She got sick. So sick that she died. The next room that interested me was the room that had the fruit. We went inside and lied down. When we looked on the ceiling there was carved fruit. That was the part I liked. It was so cool and when I looked at it it made me feel calm plus overjoyed at the same time. I really liked the visit to the Government House. I hope I can go again. By Brooklyn

A snapshot of one of our students showing Kaitiakitanga on his way to school - Awesome work Robbie !

We are very excited to announce that Vietnameezy will be providing school lunch options for our students next year in 2025 on a Wednesday.

Just like Subway, students will be able to choose from a special school menu and order from the office in the morning and have their lunch delivered to school. It will be cash only at this stage.

We will post more about the menu and prices in our next newsletter but if you want to check out Vietnameezy's website and their delicious food options click the link or visit the restaurant in Kilbirnie.

Vietnameezy

We are proud to support a local family business.

Immunisation against whooping cough

Whooping cough is not under control in Aotearoa New Zealand, and when outbreaks occur, it affects thousands of people.

Immunisation is the best way to protect you and your whānau from whooping cough.

Young pēpi can get the sickest from whooping cough.

Find out about the vaccines, who can be immunised and when to get immunised.

Whooping cough vaccine information

COVID

We are seeing a spike in COVID in the school. If your child has symptoms please test and if positive remain at home for 5 days to avoid spreading to others.

We appreciate your support in keeping everyone well.

Today in the garden...

Me and Larkham were cutting fennel to make it easier for the micro bugs in the compost to eat it. Ruby

Me and Nyakua watered the plants like Lemon and raspberry, beans and small plants. Jonadh

Today in the kitchen...

In the kitchen we made Salad of Imagination. When we got to the dressing part and we tried some, some bits tasted disgusting and we had drama about it! Cleo

In the dressing we put mustard, oil and orange juice. ezira We mixed it up and added salt and pepper. Gabby

We grated some carrot and beetroot and put it in a glass bowl. Tyler. We sliced lettuce, mint, cucumber and capsicum.

GTT visiting Chef

Year 5-6 Basketball versus Miramar Central School

On Monday 25th November the Year 5 and 6 girls basketball team ably coached by Kevin Thompson went over to Miramar Central to play basketball against their Year 5 and 6 mixed team.

There was a great atmosphere, lots of cheering and encouragement and a great game was had by all.

We were invited to play by Reena at Miramar Central to celebrate their new basketball hoop on their court and it was great to see it in action.

The team played very well and the game was evenly balanced and hard fought. The final score was 18-12 to us! Well done team! We are hoping there will be more opportunities to play other sports against them next year!

Interzone and Regional Athletics:

We had 10 athletes from Year 4 to Year 8 qualify for the Interzone Athletics held last week at Newtown Stadium. From there 6 athletes qualified for the Regional Athletics being held at Newtown Park this week. Congratulations to Alazanda, Anira, Mila, Reef, Angel and Ledayna who all got to go and show their skills at a higher level - a great achievement!

If you have a child turning 5 years old or you know of someone who would like their child to come to Holy Cross School, please call into the office and pick up an enrolment pack or ring the office 04 3887 189 and we can post you a pack.

If your family circumstances have changed and your child will not be returning to Holy Cross School in 2025, please let us know as we are beginning the organisation of classes for next year.

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Bunnings NPC Trophy - Wellington Lions 2024 Champs!

Invitation to our Community -

Please come and join us in hosting the Bunnings NPC Trophy with the Wellington Rugby Football Union this Thursday, 5 December, from 9.30 to 11 a.m. in our school hall. Room One students will share the trophy with you, and we will also have some Wellington Lions flags and posters to share. You are invited to have photos with the cup as well! Thanks to Tania Giles, Operations and Funding Manager at Wellington Rugby Football Union who has helped to set up this activity.

Thank you so much, Ethel

Wishing Josha, Amaan, Ben, Austin, Mason D, Mia, Charli & Rory a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

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We have been given free tickets to the NZ Lions 2024 Magic Show. There are two shows which are being held on Saturday 7th December @ 1pm & 4pm. We have a total of 25 tickets for each show. If you are interested in going please let the office know and your name will go into a draw. RSVP to the office by Monday 2nd December by the end of the school day. The lucky winners will be notified on Tuesday 3rd December.

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Westpac Branch Kilbirnie - First Home Buyer Seminar details

Westpac Kilbirnie – First Home Buyer Seminar

Are you a first-time home buyer?

Navigating the home buying process can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! Join us for an exclusive seminar designed just for first home buyers.

What you'll learn:

Step-by-step guidance through the home buying journey
Key insights into mortgage options and financing solutions
Tips on budgeting and preparing for your dream home

Whether you're just starting out or need answers to your pressing questions, this seminar will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to take the next step toward home ownership.

Date: 5^th December 2024

Time: 5.30pm (Doors open from 5pm)

Location: Westpac Branch - 46 Onepu Road, Kilbirnie, Wellington

Hosted by: Toese Lealamanua Branch Manager, Raj Gulati & Chamilka Weerasundra, experienced Mobile Mortgage Managers

Seats are limited, so don’t miss out! Register now and get ready to make informed decisions on your path to home ownership.

To register, fill out the form in the link below Looking forward to helping you make your home ownership dreams a reality!

Kilbirnie First Home Buyers' Seminar - New Registration

Summer Holiday Computer Classes

Grand Training runs educational and fun computer classes over the holidays at our Wellington City location for ages 5 to 16.

Minecraft from Introduction to Mods.
Learn to Code; Scratch, Python or Java.
Discovery Course in Computing - suitable for younger children
Build Your own Computer

Up to 15% off during the December/January School Holidays

For information & bookings 499-2211 or grandtraining.co.nz

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