St Benedict's School Pānui ā-rorohiko (Online Newsletter) Term 4, Week 10, 2024

Upcoming Events from our Calendar

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Term 4, 2024

Week 10
Monday 16 December Big Day Out
                                              Classes for 2025 shared 
Tuesday 17 December Morning  in New Class
                                             Whole School Christmas Carols and Year 8 Prizegiving @ 6:00pm  St Francis of Assisi                                                          Parish Church

Wednesday 18 December House Carols / Poroporoaki @ 12 noon (Top Field)
                                                    School finishes 1pm

Term 1, 2025

15 January - School office opens

30 & 31 January - Whānau meetings

30 January - FWFC second hand uniform sale / New items also available

Monday 03 February - Term 1 begins

Tuesday 04  February St Benedict's School Jubilee 2027 brainstorming session 

Wednesday 12 February Sushi orders available

Items found in the School APP
School Notices
Teacher Messages

Documents Section
Syndicate Newsletter  Term 1 and 2 
2024 School Dates
Winter Uniform Order form
St Ben's Handbook
Road Patrol Roster 

Widget link
Newsletter
SchoolDocs (Board Policies) 
Account information
Absences notification and rate of absences. 
School Calendar
MyKindo for lunch orders
HoK Facebook and Instagram

Tumuaki Korero

Tēnā koutou e te whānau ō Hato Penetika,

Invitation to Jubilee planning meeting
2027 marks St Benedict's 75 Jubilee. We want to make sure that our Jubilee year is full of celebration and ensure that all that have attended St Benedict's have the opportunity to be part of these celebrations. To get our planning off the ground we are holding a brainstorming session on the 4th of February 2025. The session will start at 7pm and will be held in the library. All are welcome! Please RSVP to me directly.

Class Visits
Yesterday morning we held successful class visits to our new classes. It was a real joy to visit each class and see them beginning to bond as new classes. The tamariki were involved in a range of activities such as painting, scavenger hunts, Christmas quizzes, name plates and book marks to be used next year. There were also plenty of games to build class cohesion.

New Students Next Year
On day one next year we will welcome 10 new tamariki and their whānau to our community. While there is a strong new entrant contingent, we also have new tamariki joining us across the school. In the last week of January I will be shoulder tapping current families to be our new family buddies. This role is a vital one in helping new whānau to feel part of St Benedict's School Community.

Court upgrade
The court upgrade begins on the 6th of January. This will impact our play space for Term 1 and we will share our plan to manage this prior to our return to school in February. 

As I end this newsletter I wish you a happy and safe Christmas. I particularly want to acknowledge and  thank  the team at St Ben's our kaiako/teachers, administrative staff, kaimahi/ teacher aides, librarian, after school care team cleaning staff and our caretaker Sokry, you are the back bone of St Ben's and we are a better school for your presence.

Enrolments for 2025 Please ensure that you have completed enrolment papers for your pre-school  tamariki who are joining us in 2025. This allows us to plan a great transition from Early Childhood Education to School through a series of visits. Equally if you have whānau or friends who are considering enrolling their tamariki, please encourage them to make appointments so we can accommodate these new enrolments.

Mā te Atua koutou e manaaki,
May God bless and care for you. 
Tania Savage - Principal

2024 Prize Giving Awards

Congratulations to the following Year 8 students who received awards at last nights prize giving.

Oscar H - Radomski Cup - Boy swimmer
Saxon C-S & Chelsea W - Girl Basketball cup
Daniel M M - Boy Basketball cup
Zara T - Brockie Netball cup
Grace F - Marie Bradshaw Sporting cup
Abigail M - The Glen cup for Music
Charlotte B -  Arts cup
Shenaya P - Seah cup for Excellence in Science
Isabella F - St Benedict's School for Excellence in English
Eliasz Z - Peter Garty cup for Mathematics
Ellie S - The Rose-Brown cup for Effort and Attitude
Grace F - Suzanne Aubert cup for Service
Ena H - Empathy Award
Eden R & Isabelle H - Perseverance Award
Hima P - Integrity Award
Emma N - Creativity Award
Shenaya P - Reunion cup for Special Catholic Character 
Charlotte B - Lloyd Davies cup for General All-Round Excellence
Isabella F - B.O.T. Cup for Excellence - St Benedict's DUX for 2024

Congratulations to our 2025 Leadership team

Catholic Character: Jane C, Keshav A, Amara D'S, Nakos P, Mary H, Jehiel S, Emmanuel S, Kenzie S
House Captains: Isla C & Flynn G - Brigidine, Jillian J & Hosea V - Evans, Hanna Z & Yohan N - Murphy, Charlotte McG & Henry P - Ngatoto

Beginning of school year whānau meetings

Beginning of school year whānau meetings

30 and 31st of January we will have whānau conferences to support a seamless and positive start to the year. Tamariki only need to attend school for their 20 minute interview with their family. 

Booking your interview

Bookings will be open from Tuesday 17 December 2024  at 5pm and will remain open until 29 January 2025 at the following link:

https://stbenedictsnz.schoolzineplus.com/view-session/6

The  link here or the video below will explain how to make a booking, please record the login details for your account as they will be used to book future interviews. 

Kauri Syndicate Cake Decorating competition

The Kauri Syndicate held their Annual Cake competition. Students collaborated on planning, ideas, decorating, and executing their cake designs at school, showcasing impressive teamwork. There were some exceptional designs displaying creativity and perseverance. Well done Year 7/8.

Room 12 Christmas Cards

Each year Mrs Miranda asks her class to make Christmas Cards for the residents at a local resthome.  Her students have done a fantastic job this year and will put a smile on many at the home.  

Sports Updates

Touch Rugby
St Ben’s has been well represented this term with 6 teams playing in the competition.  Fantastic to see so many tamariki getting involved as well as enjoying the Sunday sessions at Nairnville park. A big thanks to all the parents who’ve been helping out.
A new season starts in term 1 (games are from 17 Feb-25 March at Alex Moore park, Johnsonville). More details to follow in the new year for those that are keen to sign up to play.  

Miniball  Rap Up

Yesterday we had a clash of the classes when the two year 5/6 miniball teams took on each other. The Celtics took the win but it was awesome to see how much all the kids have improved.

St. Ben's had a fantastic year for miniball and basketball, with the highest number of registrations we've seen in years, showing just how popular basketball has become!

A huge thank you to all our coaches and managers who volunteered their time. Your support and dedication to the kids are truly appreciated.

Miniball and basketball will take a break in Term 1, but keep an eye out for registrations at the end of Term 1 as we gear up for the next season that starts in term 2.

ASC Holiday Programme

Kia ora e te whānau,

We’re excited to announce our upcoming holiday programme, crafted to keep our tamariki engaged, active, and learning over the break! This year, we’ll have a blend of on-site activities and trip days, creating special memories each week.

Spaces are limited to 20 tamariki, so please see the brochure and complete the attached registration form to secure a spot for your child/children.

To register, scan the QR code on the brochure or click this link below:

https://forms.gle/KHehoTk3SmL5LSHfA

Student Celebrations

Congratulations to Liam W a St Bens old boy who recently passed his Surf Life Saving Lifeguard exams.  Liam is now a full SLSNZ lifeguard and will be on beach patrols this season at Titahi Bay. 

Congratulations to Chelsea W who finished 3rd in her knee board race at the Capital Coast Junior Surf carnival recently, invert trying conditions. 

Congratulations to Raff who competed at his first tennis nationals in Auckland recently, competing with the best 30, 12 and under players in the country. 

FWFC

Kia ora e te whānau ō Hato Penetika,

Friends and Whānau Fundraising Committee 

Thank you for your support this year, wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  

FWFC on your socials: follow us on social media for all the latest info on upcoming events and key dates:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stbens_fwfc?igsh=MXBuaDhtdWFoNDJvZQ==Our username is: stbens_fwfcFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/St.Bens.School.FWFC?mibextid=LQQJ4dOur FB page name is: St Bens Friends & Whānau Fundraising Committee

Any comments or questions on FWFC, please get in touch: sarah.garty@hotmail.com  

Entertainment Book

active High Performance sunscreen 

We have the popular Johnson & Wilkins Ltd SPF30 sunscreen available at the office.

100ml - $20 & 500ml - $65  www.activesunscreen.co.nz 

School dates 2025

We have finalised our dates for 2025. The downloadable PDF  below will give you a printable calendar for your fridge.

Since the Board set the dates, the Ministry of Education has announced there will be two mandated teacher only days to support the new curriculum during the year. Schools will be able to choose when those days occur and need to give a term's notice to their communities.

We have not yet set these dates, as we are still waiting for information on the official providers we can work with for structured literacy in Years 4-6 and the new mathematics and statistics curriculum for Years 0-8, as well as their availability.

Finalised school dates for 2025 are
Professional learning – Leading by Learning 28th January with Geoff Childs
Staff Retreat 29th January with Pa Gerry Burns

30 and 31 of January Whanaungatanga meetings and Staff meeting days 

Term 1   Monday 3 February –11 April ( Easter and Anzac Day in holidays)
Term 2  28 April- 27 June (Includes Matariki and Kings Birthday)
Staff call back day in school holidays Friday 11 July
Term 3 s 14 July – 19 September Kāhui Ako Teacher only day  1st August
Staff call back day in school holidays Friday 3 October
Term 4  6 October- Wednesday 17 December (Includes Labour Day)

ADW Attendance Dues

Raroa Music Centre Registrations

RĀROA MUSIC CENTRE REGISTRATION FOR 2025

Rāroa Music Centre offers Saturday morning group music lessons for primary and intermediate school children at low cost ($70 per year + $40 koha or parent volunteering).  We offer music basics, cello, clarinet, drums & percussion, flute, guitar, keyboard, orchestra, recorder, saxophone, ukulele, and violin.

You are welcome to come along to see what it’s all about.  We have our end of year concert on 7^th December 2024 at 10:00am.

To register for 2025 visit our website and enrol online.  Registrations close 22^nd February 2025.
www.raroamusic.org.nz

Homestays - St Patrick's College

St Pats (Wellington) is reaching out to families who are keen to host international students in 2025. We have students coming for the whole year (from China), and are keen to find them a good home. We are also expecting various groups (staying from 9 days to a whole term from March onwards).

Starting in 2025 St Patrick's College is increasing the homestay fee to $360 /week, $75 for 14 nights or fewer (and $120 if hosting 2 students; this only applies for short stays)

If you or anyone you know is interested in hosting next year, please contact me. Happy to send you more information or ring to discuss further.

Carolina Miranda

International Student Coordinator

Tel: 049393070 9 (EXT 264)    Mobile: 0211684265

Parent Road Patrol Roster

NICHOLSON ROAD
(Mornings and Afternoons)
Parents: Please be present from 8:25am - 9:00am and again from 2:45am - 3:15pm

Berry Whānau Give a little

Wider Community Notices

Going overseas this summer?

New Zealand Traveller Declaration

Going overseas this summer? Everyone travelling into, or returning to, New Zealand must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration. 

The New Zealand Traveller Declaration collects travel, customs, immigration and biosecurity information and aims to improve the safety and security of New Zealand. It replaces the paper card you used to fill out on the plane.   

To make your arrival easier, do your digital declaration before your flight to New Zealand. It’s free to complete.

If you’re travelling as a family or group and completing multiple declarations, the NZTD app allows you to copy your travel details into another declaration, making it easier to complete multiple declarations for the same journey. The submitted declarations are then all easy to see within the app.

Head to travellerdeclaration.govt.nz today!