Principal Blurb-Week 2 Term 1

Kia ora koutou,

The year has started positively so thanks to staff, parents and especially the children for beginning with a great attitude. Our theme for the year is one of our school values ‘Love of Work’ and our focus for this term is the  ‘love of learning’. With parent interviews next week on Thursday 20 February, we look forward to discussing next steps and goals for our tamariki. We also look forward to having our school picnic on Thursday 27 February and enjoying pizza and chips from 5pm to 6pm.

For term 1, we have 10 weeks with the last day of the term on Friday 11 April. We will have an assembly in week 6 on Friday 14 March at 2:15pm. Each class will present their mahi to those families attending. 

Another important date is our Teacher Only Day on Friday 4^th of April. The school will be closed for instruction as staff receive professional development on the structured maths approach being implemented this year.

Recently, the cyber-security forms were sent home for parents to complete and return to school. We have also enclosed a form for photo permission this year. If these could be returned to the office or class teacher, it would be much appreciated.

It is important we send back to school replenished emergency kits and water bottles. A notice reminding families of what can be included in these will be sent home.

If there is any uniform that is required, please have a look at the back of the hall as there will be some donated over the coming week.

If you have any queries and/or questions, please contact me.

Kerry de Graaff

Acting Principal

principal@cardinalmckeefry.school.nz

Ash Wednesday 2025

Ash Wednesday 2025 begins the Lenten season. Lent is the time before Easter when Catholics prepare to commemorate Jesus’s Resurrection. This year Ash Wednesday is Wednesday the 5^th of March.

There are three holy practices which Catholics are called to embrace in penitential seasons such as Lent and Advent. These three practices are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

When you make your Lenten plan, choose something specific from each category—and you’re set for a grace-filled journey to Easter.

Otari Parish
2025 Sacramental Programme
The Otari Parish Sacramental Programme is for baptised children
aged 8 and over to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Holy
Eucharist and Confirmation.
We are now accepting enrolments for this year’s Sacramental Programme.
Please contact the Parish Office for an application form.
A Parent Information Evening for this year’s programme will be on Tuesday
18th February at 7pm in the St Thomas More Church, 30 Worcester Street,
Wilton. It is a requirement of the programme that at least one parent of
each candidate attends this meeting.

The Parent Information Evening for this year’s programme will be on Tuesday 18th February at 7pm in the St Thomas More Church, 30 Worcester Street, Wilton

It is a requirement of the programme that at least one parent of each candidate attends this meeting.  Packs will be distributed at this meeting.

It is hard to believe that we have already been back at school for nearly two weeks.  We have set up the classroom and have started putting artwork up to make the room more colourful.  We started off by writing poems about ourselves and doing self-portraits.  It was fun seeing our friends and getting back into school. 

Things are a bit different this year and we're enjoying having time to do science experiments and learn new things.

Elijah – highlight is doing Daily Ten each day

Naomi – highlight is doing science and decorating the room with colour

Ropati – highlight is doing basic facts

Penny – highlight is going outside to do circuits each morning

Frances – highlight is doing basic facts and science experiments

Elisabeth – highlight is seeing the school again and reading James and the Giant Peach

Alistair – highlight is getting faster at my basic facts and using the ipad

Miss Wylie – highlight is being surrounded by students who are so enthusiastic about school

We are looking forward to some fantastic learning and going on some awesome trips.

Picasso Portraits

Welcome

We welcome you to another exciting school year full of learning and growth. To our families, I thank you for entrusting me with your child's education. Your involvement and support are the backbone of our community, and I look forward to partnering with you every step of the way.

It has only been a few weeks; however, the Room 4 tamariki have immersed themselves in reading, writing, spelling, and math. I am so proud of them.

Literacy

Our literacy focus has been on 'all about me'. Tamariki have used this opportunity to share their unique stories, interests and preferences with their peers. Our Tamariki are so creative and have let their personalities sparkle through their writing. We also delved into the traditional story 'The Three Little Pigs'. Please have a look at our writing.

Gardening

Our Tamariki are fortunate to engage in gardening and planting activities with our garden specialist, Jo. This week, we planted spinach and flower seeds. We are looking after plant pots by watering them and keeping them in sunlight. We can't wait to see our seeds sprout!

Basic facts

Maths

We have begun learning basic facts to solve our addition, subtraction, and equal-grouping problems quickly and correctly. We practise each day and are getting better each time.