As we enter into the last few weeks of the 2019 school year we have been discussing and celebrating the progress and achievement of our students. This progress spans all learning areas but also recognizes growth and development in interpersonal relationships, resilience, reflection and self-management. 

Next week you will receive your child’s end of year report that will highlight many of his or her achievements. When this report comes home please make the time to discuss and celebrate this together.

I have included in this week’s newsletter a few photos that represent success in its many forms.  A question you might ask your child could be, “If we had one or two photos that captured your greatest achievements at school this year, what would they be”?

This Sunday is the feast of Christ the King. This is the last Sunday of Ordinary Time and the season of Advent begins the following Sunday.  

In John 18:33, 36-37 the divine authority of Christ is made clear:

Pilate said to Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world.”

So Pilate said to Him, “Then you are a King?”  

Jesus answered, “You say I am a King.  For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.”

On the Feast of  Christ the King, it is important to remember, that Christ is King, not only of the universe but also of our hearts and homes.  

During Advent we await the coming of the infant King – the son of God born in Bethlehem to free us from our sins.  

He is a King of love, mercy, peace, and forgiveness who comes to lead us to the truth and to eternal life. 

DID YOU KNOW?

The tallest statue of Jesus in the world is the Christ the King statue in Poland (52.5 m tall) which is even larger than the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil!

Next year we plan to make some changes to the way we share progress, set goals and celebrate learning.  This will begin as it did this year, with learning conversations for the first two days. The structure of these conversations has been strengthened and will be on-going throughout the year.  Each student will be an active participant in designing his or her own learning pathway, personalizing goals set and reviewing these regularly. 

 We look forward to sharing our ideas with you and receiving feedback throughout this review process.

Staffing 2020

Farewells: At the end of this year we will farewell two of our Holy Cross School teaching staff.

Ethel Renata

Ethel has been a valued member of staff since 2012. Ethel has been working on her PhD for the last two years and has decided to continue studying in 2020 to complete this.

Ethel has contributed much to our Holy Cross School journey; she has helped shape and strengthen our understanding of te reo and tikanga Māori and was instrumental in the establishment of the Holy Cross School setting up our ka hikitia  group. Ethel is a passionate educator who has truly lived and modelled our school values.  We wish Ethel every success as she continues her own learning journey and we look forward to a continued association with her.   

Michaela Jensen

Michaela was appointed to a teaching position at Holy Cross at the start of 2018.  She has completed two wonderful years with us.  Michaela has been appointed to a teaching position at Paparangi School in Newlands, beginning in 2020.  We have loved having Michaela on our team, she is a positive, enthusiastic teacher who has contributed much to the school and the learners in her class. We wish her every success as she continues her teaching career. 

New Appointments: Two new staffing appointments have been made for the 2020.

Genevieve Krefft

Genevieve is returning to Wellington after teaching the past three years at St Joseph’s Otahuhu. Genevieve will be teaching in the senior school. Genevieve’s enthusiasm and passion for education shine through in every area and in every conversation held with those who know her.

She provides an engaging learning environment that builds upon each child’s skills, strengths, and belief in themselves.

Genevieve has studied theatre- both acting and directing, she is a volunteer mentor and she is currently completing a level 3-4 Māori language course. We look forward to welcoming Genevieve to our team.

 Corrie Skells 

Corrie will be teaching in our junior school from 2020.  Corrie has taught at both primary and secondary level. She has strengths across all curriculum areas. She has previously been a numeracy leader and has been actively involved in physical education. Corrie has taught at Chilton St James and more recently at St Patrick’s College in Kilbirnie.

 Corrie is a passionate and committed learner and we look forward to having her on our Holy Cross School team.

The St Vincent de Paul Christmas food parcel collection is on!

We are collecting on behalf of the St Vinnies, items that can be donated to families in need in our community at Chritmas time. 

If you are able to help, please send to the school office, essential items like canned goods,toiletries, gifts and treats for the Christmas boxes which will be given to families that might need extra support over the Christmas period. 

Thank you for your very generous support, it will make a difference.

Happy Birthday to Austin, Mason, Rociana, Mia and Parina, we hope you all have a very special day.

Chef of the Day was Jonathan, he explained what the class cooked in the kitchen.

"In the kitchen we made strawberry and rhubarb muffins, it was very quick. We added the first egg to the mixture, it looked like caramel and then after the 2nd egg it looked like peanut butter.

The first ingredient was sugar, plus oil, 3 eggs, flour and lastly the fruit.We cooked the muffins for 20 minutes and when I tasted them it was yummy!"Jonathan also wrote a story about strawberries. 

"One day I was harvesting strawberries when I saw a giant strawberry. It was as big as the Garden to Table kitchen. 

I ate my way through it, and in the centre it was a space ship cockpit. I pressed autopilot and it took me to Strawberryland and I ate everything." The End. 

Jonathan had another go at making the muffins at home, it is great to see the students using their new skills and practicing them at home.

Keep Cups

Looking for a Christmas stocking filler or festive thank you gift? Check out our cute new Keep Cups. Ideal for the summer holidays. 

Only $10 each or 5 for $45.

This is a PSG fundraiser, and the school benefits from each sale so share the link far and wide. 

Order yours here https://bit.ly/31Dz24Z.