Welcome back to a new term.

Our focus:  The Gifts That Surround Us- My Story, Our Story, The Story.

Each year we select a focus that will be meaningful for our learners, have impact on people and the world around us and that celebrates the Catholic Character and culture(s) of our school.

Over the next few weeks staff will be sharing more of how we aim to 'bring this to life' for our learners this term. 

Our Staff: This term we have two teachers who have joined, or returned to, our team.  In Room 3 we have, Clare James, and in Room 5, Ethel Renata.  Both of these teachers spent quite some time at school during the holidays, setting up their classes, planning ways to get to know their learners and preparing for a wonderful term of learning ahead. 

All of our staff- teachers, support staff and Jimmy, our caretaker work, incredibly hard to support each student's learning journey.  They consider ways to inspire, encourage and empower students.  We have a great team! 

Our Students:  Experiencing learning in action and learning through action.

Something that is aways a highlight for me is when students share their learning or their developing understanding of an aspect of learning with me.

Currently, every teacher in the school, myself included, is working with a focus group of learners.  Yesterday my group spent some time observing a plant and sharing what they knew and wondered... this amazing group of learners, aged 7 and 8, shared their knowledge of  'nutrients in the soil, conditions necessary for growth, the purpose of root systems and the way in which succulents store water'.  

They also shared some of their 'wonderings' including, ' why are there more leaves toward the top of the plant, why do some plants need more water than others, why do some plants have longer roots'?  - Our role is to support students to find out the answers to their wonderings, to structure and share what they learn, to apply their learning and make connections.  

What a privilege it is see and hear the joy of learning... 

Our Whānau: We are always appreciative of the amazing support we receive from whānau as we work together as Community.  As well as the parents, we get to meet grandparents, aunts, uncles and extended family members.  We genuinely strive to build connections and tap into the strengths and gifts within our community. 

People often ask, "What is the best way to support my child"?  My answer to this remains the same, give them the gift of your time. Post lockdown last year so many people commented on special family times- praying together - giving thanks for the gifts we receive, enjoying walks around the neighbourhood, noticing birdlife,plantlife, the seasons,  playing boardgames, enjoying books together, contacting by zoom or emailing relatives and friends who don't live nearby, getting to know neighbours.... the list goes on.. this is learning for life. I remind and encourage us all to priortise what is of most importance.

Ascension of Jesus: The Gospel reading this coming Sunday tells us that before Jesus left the disciples to be with God, his Father in heaven, he gave them a job to do, “Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.” This command was accompanied by the promise that Jesus would be with them always.

We too are called to be followers of Jesus; we are invited to live the Values that Jesus modelled in his daily life. Through our actions we can help others come to know God. I often remind the children, " Good people are God people".

Throughout the coming week let’s be deliberate in seeking ways to show loving kindness toward others and the world in which we live.

The following email was received last week. This provides a wonderful example of the Good News in action.

During morning tea Marios wondered over to the basketball court, which he has never done before, and stopped to look at the senior boys that were playing there. Cooper noticed Marios standing there and went over and gave him the ball and said 'shoot Marios'. Marios had a huge smile on his face and went closer to the hoop. When Marios was unsure what to do, Cooper went behind Marios and helped him to shoot the ball. 

Last week, the leadership team and Board of Trustees met with our ERO evaluation partner to hear more of the new approach being used and what this might look like at Holy Cross.  On-going evaluation and self- review is vital for a school's continued growth and development and we welcome any opportunity to strengthen and develop the way we do things at Holy Cross; this is part of a continuous cycle of improvement.

The following information has been shared with us:  ERO is shifting to a more developmental approach to evaluation, supporting each school’s improvement over time. An ERO evaluation partner will work alongside our school, building a professional relationship over time. ERO’s evaluation role will connect with each school’s strategic planning and reporting cycle as part of an ongoing improvement journey. ERO is supporting schools to build and sustain high-quality evaluation as part of their planning for improvement focus. Consideration of a school within its wider network and community is woven throughout the new Operating Model, which will also identify an opportunity to undertake evaluations at a community level. More information is available on the ERO website: New Schools Operating Model | Education Review Office (ero.govt.nz)

The term 2 Powhiri will be held this Friday 14th May 2021 at 9am in the hall.

A chance for us to welcome new students and staff to our Holy Cross community, everyone welcome to attend.

Congratulations to the following people who recorded all their physical activity during the school holidays.  

Their names are going into a draw to win a chance to choose some great Rebel Sport equipment for our school!

Ryder B.

Angelina

Daniel B.

Zoe

Haven

Allexia

Cahal

Alex M.

Anira

Isaiah

Alicia

Hosanna

Amalia

Parina

Asher

Sebastian

Mateo

Cleo

Shalom

Larkham

Henry S.

Robbie

Emily

Austin

Arnav

Toby 

Ledayna

Blythe

• Tuesday at 8.10am and
• Friday at 12.30pm

You can view our Policies and Procedures, please click on the following link.  

https://www.schooldocs.co.nz/Home/SchoolLogin.aspx

Our username is :hcm and password : schooldocs

This term we are looking at Reporting to Parents on student progress and achievement policy. 

We have been given an amazing opportunity to be part of an opera by NZOpera and Opera Wellington. 

RED! is an exciting new opera, written by UK-based New Zealand composer Lucy Mulgan, with primary-aged students’ participation in mind. The opera incorporates the story of Little Red Riding Hood and has been developed to address relevant issues facing children today - such as bullying, gaining independence, and establishing identity - using common sense, and the power of intergenerational relationships.

Each Tuesday we particpate (Room 3,5,6) in a 1 hour session with a trained opera singer leading up to a performance in June -more details will follow closer to the time.

The Kāhui Ako group have secured Samuel Marsden auditorium for this interesting and informative event for parents.

The auditorium can seat up to 500 people so there should be plenty of space available for all parents to attend. The entry fee for parents will simply be a gold coin donation for the Home of Compassion Soup kitchen.

We will also receive a link to the documentary after the event that we can share with you however if you can attend we think it will be well worth it, as we all learn techniques to help keep our children safe online.  

St Patrick's College Open Day

The Open Day tours for those interested in enrolling their son at St Patrick’s College for 2022 will be held on Tuesday 15 June between 9.30 to 11.00am and from 12.00pm to 1.30pm and again on Thursday 17 June between 9.30 to 11.00am and from 12.00pm to 1.30pm.  To make a booking please visit the St Patrick's College website:

https://www.stpats.school.nz

On the front page of our website you will see 'Open Day'.  

Open this section and select "Open Day Booking Form"  (an online booking form).

Enter your details and make your selection regarding day/time.

A reminder email will be sent closer to your booked day.