St Benedict's School Pānui ā-rorohiko (Online Newsletter) Term 1, week 4, 2025

Upcoming Events from our Calendar

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Term 1, 2025

Sports Uniform 
Tuesdays Room 9-13
Thursdays Room 7-8 and Rooms 3-5

Week 4 Term 1 
Class liturgies & Mass 
Yr 7 Vision testing 
Ki o Rahi - Rms 7-8  /  Rippa - Rms 3-5

Week 5 Term 1
Ash Wednesday
Kapa Haka
Board Meeting
Class liturgies 
Ki o Rahi - Rms 7-8
Rippa - Rms 3-5

Week 6
Assembly 
Te Reo lessons
Class liturgies & Mass
Ki o Rahi - Rms 7-8
Rippa - Rms 3-5

Items found in the School APP
School Notices
Teacher Messages
Documents Section
St Ben's Handbook

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

Catholic Character

Andrew Chinn visit

Andrew Chinn Concert Recount

On the 24th of February, Andrew Chin visited St Benedict’s. Andrew Chinn is a musical artist who writes and sings songs about God. During the visit he taught the students several songs and dances. Finally he performed a concert in the library alongside student volunteers. Some of the songs he sang are Pilgrims of Hope, Shine Among Them, and Rainbow.  By Jane & Hanna - Room 12

Tumuaki Korero

Tēnā koutou e te whānau ō Hato Penetika,

Super fun at St Ben’s
We are racing through the term with wonderful events experienced over the past few weeks. The Wellington weather is at its absolute best most days and that has really helped to support the many activities happening around St Ben’s.

We had a wonderful school picnic and sandcastle competition on Friday 14^th of March. It was so lovely to have so many of you join us throughout the day. The sandcastles were a triumph, as always, and an ice block at the end of the day is always a welcome relief from the heat.

Our weekly timetable of events is in full swing with Kapa Haka, Te Reo Maori, Mandarin, and tech visits to Mt Cook all underway. Our weekly masses with Fr Alfred and liturgies with the team from Challenge 2000 have also begun again.

On Monday, our school was full of music as Andrew Chinn worked with each syndicate and our choir to present a wonderful concert in the afternoon. Andrew has a real gift for working with liturgical music that ignites our tamariki. Our staff will have the same opportunity this afternoon as they attend Professional Learning with Andrew at St Francis Xavier Tawa.

Next Wednesday we will be celebrating an Ash Wednesday liturgy in the library, and we hope you can join us.

School Board Donations and Activity Donations
Within your school APP you will have received your letter for the 2025 School Board Donations and Activity Donations. The above events highlighted are all funded from these income stream. Thank you for your contributions that help us to offer such great experiences for our tamariki.

Our courts are getting closer
Our court project continues to move at pace. The wonderful weather we are experiencing has enabled this to continue to stay on track. Our tamariki are continuing to cope well with the reduced playground and we are so proud of all the EPIC values we are seeing on display every day.

Reminder about parking and road patrol.
At St Ben’s we operate a roster for parents to support our tamariki with road patrol. If you are not there then the road patrollers cannot operate. This is one day out of the year that we really need your support. Please make sure you check the roster at the end of the newsletter and try to swap with someone if you cannot make it – your class rep what’s app groups are great for organising this.

Please also refrain from parking on yellow lines on Nicholson and Everest Street or waiting across our neighbours’ driveways. These are all illegal practices and make the road narrow contributing to traffic build up and making it unsafe for us to operate a crossing on. If you are asked to move your car when it is illegally parked, please respond with courtesy. Our staff are just trying to make sure the environment is safe for our tamariki – something we should all be focused on.

After School Care
We currently have vacancies for each day within our After School Care programme. Please contact Emma in the office (asc@st-benedicts.school.nz) if you wish to register. ASC has now moved into its own dedicated space in old Room 5. 

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.

We warmly welcome  into our school community, Khloe (Rm12) and Hazel (Rm11) who will start with us on Monday.  We also welcome Lilly, sister of Isla to Room 3.

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

Room 5

We read Eric Carle's Hungry Caterpillar and made playdough creations!  Aren't they imaginative!!

We also had a fun time during Rippa Rugby today with Phil.

Kelly Sports

Student Celebrations

Thank you to families who collected 'Yummy Stickers' last year.  Students are very happy to have new sports equipment this year and we are grateful not to have paid for these.  Look out for this promotion again in Term 2 and start saving your stickers.   Sticker sheets can be found on the 'Yummy Sticker' website: www.yummyfruit.co.nz or just pick a sheet up from the office.

School dates 2025

The downloadable PDF  below will give you a printable calendar for your fridge. It has been updated to reflect the new MOE Maths PLD days. 

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. Unfortunately we have not been able to choose our dates and have been allocated the following dates Friday 4 April 2025 and Thursday 19th of June.

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)
Friday 4th April MOE Mathematics PLD teacher only day. 
Term 2  28 April- 27 June (Includes Matariki and Kings Birthday)
Staff call back day in school holidays Friday 11 July
Thursday 19 June MOE Mathematics PLD teacher only day. 
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)

Sports Updates / Movin' March

What is Movin’March? 

Movin’ March is a free month-long event run by Greater Wellington in partnership with local councils.  St Benedict’s have been involved since its beginnings and have enjoyed the opportunities for student leadership and seeing the enthusiasm the students have when as their passports are stamped and receiving a spot prize.

We will have student leaders managing the “passport station” each morning outside the library area. 

There are two competitions during Movin’March – the WOW Passport Challenge and the Whānau Photo competition (open to whānau of any child under 14 yrs walking or wheeling to school in the Greater Wellington region).  We’d love to hear and share your images and comments around active travel! Check out our Family Activities for fun home-based ideas.   

PARK AND STRIDE:

What is Park and Stride? Park and Stride encourages parents to drop their children further away from school so they can walk part way. A Park and Stride scheme can reduce congestion issues around the school and provide an opportunity for:

• Extra exercise for children • Socialisation with other families • Learning important road safety skills • Students who live too far to participate in Walk or Whee,  could set up a Park and Stride scheme by developing designated drop-off points, Walking Pou and/or a Walk Zone

A Walking School Bus (WSB) is a great way to alleviate parent concerns about their children walking alone to school. They create opportunities to teach children important road safety skills ready for walking independently as they get older. It is important that children learn road safety skills and are able to walk or cycle to school independently in preparation for intermediate school and college. The New Zealand Transport Agency has put together a guide for planning and implementing a Walking School Bus. You can download the guide at: www.education.nzta.govt.nz/resources/school-communitypartnerships/walking-school-bus

Netball registrations are now open - please fill out the registration form below (one form per player please) - it will be open until March 21st.
https://forms.gle/Mink4cYuo1vNYnkM6

We are still waiting on confirmation of the season dates but based on the last few years the format will be as follows.
Season details - Year 1-2 - Saturday afternoons term 2-3 Years 3-4 - Saturday afternoons terms 2-3Year 5-8 Saturday mornings terms 2-3.This year the Northern Suburbs Netball Committee have decided to run a year 7 and a year 8 competition (rather than a combined intermediate) therefore we will not be running trials this year.
If you have any questions please contact Hannah and Camilla (netball@St-benedicts.school.nz)
Northern Suburbs have asked for help to fill the following positions.

Weet-Bix TRYathlon

Individuals can register to be a part of the St Ben's group through the following link:https://raceroster.com/registration/c18590e3-15cd-4aae-8094-cf897afcf0c8/entry?team=771111

FWFC

Kia ora e te whānau ō Hato Penetika,

Friends and Whānau Fundraising Committee 

Colour Run!!! 
FWFC are excited to announce that our School Colour Run will be held this term!
This is our major event for the year as we complete the fundraising for the new canopy, and netball and basketball hoops to go under it. Our goal is $20k.Key info:Sunday 6th April, 11.30 til 1pm, Nairnville field
Cost: $10 through the student fundraising profile below
Visit schoolfunrun.co.nz and set up a student profile. This page will be the hub for all fundraising activities!

Committee update: 
Welcome to Matthew Molloy (who is the new FWFC Treasurer) and Lucy Hickey to the Committee! 
We are still looking for a Chair and Secretary. Those currently in the roles will remain on the Committee and will be able to provide support to new people
The Chair leads the Committee and is a regular conduit between the school and FWFC. The Secretary organises and keeps records of our meetings, updates the school newsletter and some light touch administrative tasks. Sarah McCarthy the current Secretary is also able to job share but can't commit to the full role. 
We have a full set of class reps! If you haven't heard from your class rep about a WhatsApp group yet, please get in touch with Sarah McCarthy:  sarah.garty@hotmail.com 

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
Ngā mihi nui, FWFC 

Entertainment Book

Lost Property

Black drink bottle and a size 4yrs Kathmandu jacket - Please claim from the office

Welcome to the Tiny Show!

Meet a quiet clown and her troupe of toys as she recounts fables and tales. Encounter a jealous witch, a lonely wolf and a very sorry piggy. Be dazzled with sassy looks and spine-tingling harmonies. This clown can sing, dance and eat pink wafers like no one else. Grab a pillow and lean in close for a tiny, intimate theatre show for the whole family to enjoy.

The Tiny Show debuted at the Whangarei Fringe festival 2022, where it received the 'Best Performer award'. Finalist for the 2024 PAYPA awards in recognition of a commitment to and excellence in Theatre for Young People.

Suitable for deaf and hearing audiences aged 3 years and up.

Created and performed by Tomasin Fisher-Johnson.

Tomasin is a brilliant actress with an ability to mesmerise audiences using her skills in clown, mime and sign language. She has also worked as a teacher of the deaf and for Ko Taku Reo.

Tickets: $15.00

Sat 1 Mar 2025, 10:30am

Sat 1 Mar 2025, 3:30pm

Sun 2 Mar 2025, 10:30am

Sun 2 Mar 2025, 3:30pm

Run time approx. 45 mins

Venue: Te Auaha, 65 Dixon Street, Te Aro, Wellington

For more information and to book tickets, see the Fringe website.

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

Wider Community Notices

ezlunch lunch orders

• Every parent who orders an ezlunch goes into a weekly draw to win $100 Kindo Credit for themselves AND $100 for your school. Starts Monday 10 February 2025 and runs through to Friday 11 April 2025.
• Plus, all orders automatically enter the Grand Prize Draw for a $1,000 JB Hi-Fi Voucher + $500 for their school!

 Thank you to JB Hi-Fi for making our Grand Prize rewards possible!

JB Hi-Fi has partnered with Kindo in 2025 to streamline BYOD for schools, and we appreciate their generous support.