This morning we had a powhiri to welcome new tamariki (children), kaiako (teachers) and extended whānau, to our community. Each time we gather for a celebration such as this, I spend time thinking about a key and timely message for the particular group being welcomed.

For this gathering I recalled the past few significant months in our New Zealand and world history. I spoke of my experience I have come to understand more deeply is the power or impact of kindness - on ourselves and others.

Kindness is the most powerful antidote -way to address- unpleasant feelings such as worry or anger. 

For the last couple of weeks our junior classes have been learning new games and activities based on kindness- one of these involves a super hero who notices when humans need to be helped. When they play this game the child can sometimes be a super hero and at others times be a human needing the help of others.- I think life is life that- sometimes we need help and sometimes we are able to help others.  

What I have reflected on is that, when we feel we belong, we are known and accepted, we thrive…  When we show kindness to others by including them, by working cooperatively with them, by speaking nicely to and of them…  we help them to thrive … and we thrive.

This links beautifully to our school Vision - Achieving More Than We Ever Dreamed Possible- this is our vision for each individual, it is each class and our school as a whole.   

Today we welcomed new tamariki, kaiako and families to our community-  we invited them you to embrace this Vision  and we confirmed our commitment to them.

Let's all of us work together… to show extraordinary kindness to those around us…to step up as super heroes -for ourselves and others. 

Let all that you do be done in love. ~ 1 Corinthians 16:14

In the newsletter last week we reflected that one of the characteristics of prayer that with the right intention every moment of the day—all our hopes, works, joys, and sufferings—can become our prayer.

And if everything we do, be done in love, and with kindness, what a wonderful world it would be.  

Acts of kindness and love touch the lives of others in a very special way. Sometimes we may never know just how significant an act of kindness may be, or the impact it can have.  We are indeed blessed to be part of a Catholic School and Community that allows us to openly express our Special Character and live our faith. Let's continue to open our eyes, ears and hearts to the needs of others.

Some examples of faith and values in action from the week:

Awareness of Others: On Monday I shared with the school a lovely example I had seen of a student, Living the Holy Cross WAY; showing awareness of others. I saw a mother and her son walking toward the office at the same time our senior students were jogging back from a fitness session. One of our Year 8 boys stopped, stepped aside and invited our visitors to go through the gates first.

On Tuesday a number of visitors from different schools came along to a Garden to Table open day.  One of the teachers pointed out a student who had walked up to her as she came into the school and said, "Good morning, welcome to Holy Cross School"

Thank you Astyn for Living the Holy Cross WAY by welcoming visitors to our school. 

Matariki: On Tuesday a group of five children and myself set off to deliver to our neighbours, the soup and bread made as part of our Matariki celebrations.  We were delighted to find: Maire, Sister Margaret, Sister Stephanie, Marjorie and Dianne at home.  Yesterday we received the following email: 

Thank you so very much for visiting me yesterday at my home to celebrate Matariki. The soup you offered me was so nourishing. The fresh herbs in it added an extra surprise. And the bread, newly baked, tasted delicious. I hope you all continue to make this food for your families.

Many blessings
Sister Stephanie

Thankfully we have been able to find the source of the water leak. This has now been repaired and school will resume as normal on Monday morning. 

Huge thanks to Matt Blair who each day selects two flags of significance for our flag poles. You may have noticed there are 2 whiteboards underneath each flag pole where the particular flag name is recorded. 

If there is a significant day for your culture please advise us ahead of time and we will endeavour to source an appropriate flag to fly.

The 2 flags flying today are the NZ flag and the World flag which includes all the flags of the world.    

On Wednesday the 29th of July Holy Cross School marched to Scots College to participate in cross country eastern zones. It was a gruelling event but we persevered. 

 A special mention to- Rociana (10), Maria (9), Nu Tha (7),  Kaci (6), Tama (6) And Kiri (2) 

For placing in the top ten of their race.

We would like to say a special thanks to all the parents and teachers who sacrificed their time to support and supervise.

Well done Holy Cross!

School photo envelopes were handed out last week. Final orders close 14th August 2020 please.  

There was a sum of money found in room 12 last Friday. If you have lost some money please contact the office.

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Are you struggling financially to pay Attendance Dues? Please contact our office as soon as possible so we can help you. We have some options available for payment plans and rebate assistance so we encourage you to please get in touch by calling us on 0800 462 725 or email dues@wn.catholic.org.nz. We look forward to being of assistance to you during this difficult time.

Kind regards

Attendance Dues Team     

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Our newsletter has a sponsorship section which provides a great opportunity for local businesses to engage with our parent community. If you would like to be a part of this, please contact Schoolzine.

Phone Jude +61 07 5414 2363 or email jude.dawson@schoolzine.com.au

or contact the school office and we can pass on your information.

App update 2.4.2

We have just released the latest App update 2.4.2 which resolves a couple of outstanding bugs some users were experiencing.

Most people have automatic updates set on their device, however you might want to send an Alert Notification advising your users to ensure they update to the latest version of the app.