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W e e k 7 Te r m 1 : T h u r s d a y 1 6 t h M a r c h 2 0 1 7 P R I N C I PA L’ S M E S S A G E LOST PROPERTY Thank you to Donna Ballantyne and Lara Irving-Dowling for attacking the enormous pile of lost property on Monday morning. I have talked to all students about the need to be self- managing of their own clothes. I have also told students that no one is allowed to go home with bare feet, hopefully negating any shoes left behind (we do have shoes in the pile). Donna and Lara have given back any items that were clearly named but there are a number that have names of people who have left the school. These are in a pile on the table in the uniform shop area. The remaining un-named items are also in this box and they will be donated to the uniform shop for reselling if not claimed this week. PLEASE- check that your child’s items are all named. Eden Breen has lost her jersey - this is clearly named. Amelia Frew has also lost her named jersey. Please check your children’s jerseys as someone has taken these home by mistake. Thank you. FUNDRAISING The Board have had recommendation from the accountant that we no longer hold money for parents for fundraising. Therefore, if you have money in our account for this purpose from 2016 you can either use it to pay current camp fees (junior & Room 6), put towards any outstanding school costs, or have it fully reimbursed to you, by supplying a bank account number for it to be deposited into. We would appreciate it if this could be decided as soon as possible. An email to the school office : [email protected] with your decision would be helpful. In regards to future fundraising- this will continue in term 2 as usual, but you will receive your own money as you earn it after each fundraising event is completed. It is probably time to start thinking about those fundraising ideas to get them up and going early in the term.We thank you for the trust you have placed in us to hold your funds, but things change and this new process does give parents more flexibility on what they use their fundraising for.

SCHOOL INTERVIEWS -Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd. Please help us help your child by booking a time to see their teacher. This is to share goals and your wishes for them this year as well as ways to maintain communication with you throughout the year. Your child is expected to come to this interview with you. www.schoolinterviews.co.nz code: fbrcx If you need help with booking a time, please contact Chrissie in the office and she will be able to help you through the process. Wednesday the interviews will begin at 2.30. Students can be picked up at 2.30 or remain at school with supervision until 2.55pm. PLEASE NOTE Room 1 – Mrs Wright is hoping to return to school on 22nd March so her interviews will be held after her return. Room 7 - Mrs Laidlaw is away until further notice so her interviews will also be held after her return.

ROOM 6 CAMP Tuesday Room 6 headed to Cromwell for their EOTC camp. This camp includes water sports- kayaking and sailing as well as mountain biking and fishing. Thank you to those parents who were able to join the students and Mr Yeoman. We hear they are having a wonderful time.

POLICE VETTING FOR CAMPS TERM 3 Any parent thinking they may wish to help on either room 3,4 or 5 camp in term 3, please ask your child’s teacher for a police vetting form if you have not helped in the last 3 years. We would like these to be fully processed by the time these classes have their camps as the vetting time frame is becoming longer.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Charlotte O’Kane March 18th

SPECIAL CHARACTER Important Dates coming up: • Parish Mass – Thank you to Mrs Lyon and Room 5 for leading Wednesday Mass yesterday morning with the Parish. • St. Patrick’s Day – Friday 17th March. Various activities are happening around the school for this, please check your class blog. •

Bishops Forum – Dunedin, 23rd March.

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Catholic Teachers Regional Twilight Meeting: 27th March at 4.30 pm.

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Week 11 - Holy Week. Good Friday 14th April.

Matthew Chapter 13

Parable of the Yeast

v.33 Jesus used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” In what way is the Kingdom of Heaven like yeast? Answer: Jesus’ Parable of the Yeast is a very simple story—a snapshot of life, really: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough”. Jesus uses this story as a lesson to illustrate the kingdom of heaven. A woman takes yeast (leaven) and mixes it into dough. Eventually, the whole of the dough is leavened. What does it mean? The “kingdom of heaven” is Jesus’ reign. It is spiritual, existing within the hearts of believers. In the Parable of the Yeast, we learn several things about the working of the kingdom in our present age. Each of these lessons has something to do with yeast. • First, the kingdom of God may have small beginnings, but it will increase. Yeast is microscopic in size, and only a little is kneaded into the dough. Yet, given time, the yeast will spread through all the dough. In the same way, Jesus’ kingdom started with 12 men in an obscure corner of Galilee, but it has spread throughout the world. The gospel makes progress. • Second, the kingdom of God exerts its influence from within, not from without. Yeast makes dough rise from within. God first changes the heart of a person. Christians within a culture act as agents of change, slowly transforming that culture from within. • Third, just as yeast works until the dough has completely risen, the benefit of the kingdom of God will be worldwide. • Fourth, although the kingdom of God works invisibly, its effect is evident to all. Yeast does its job slowly, secretly and silently, but no one can deny its effect on bread. The same is true of the work of grace in our hearts. • The nature of yeast is to grow and to change whatever it contacts. When we say ‘Yes’ to Jesus, His grace grows in our hearts and changes us from the inside out.

P TA RECIPE BOOK FUNDRAISER – RECIPES, PHOTOS & TESTERS WANTED!!! Last year a group of parents from the school formed a Recipe Book committee. Our vision is to create a high quality, beautifully presented recipe book with recipes and photos provided by our school and parish community, based on family favourites and featuring the seasons of Central Otago. We hope to raise in excess of $30,000 from this project so please get on board! We have reviewed our scheduled release of this book and we are now planning a release around September 2018. We invite everyone within our school and parish community (past and present) to contribute to this cookbook which we hope will be both a well-used treasury of recipes and a keepsake for your family, as well as being something you would be proud to give to family and friends further afield. We are focusing on recipes for each season in turn, at the moment, we are focusing on Autumn. Autumn Ideas for recipes/photos • Autumn vegetables – pumpkin, parsnip, kumara, cabbages etc • Fruits – apples, pears, blackberries etc • Meat – any meat dishes, specifically duck and vension • Anzac time – biscuits, slices • Easter time • Preserves – preserves, chutneys, jams Recipes. Whether it is an old recipe passed down through the generations or simply your version of a modern dish, if you love it- we’d love to have it… any recipe – breakfast, morning/afternoon tea, nibble ideas, Lunch, Dinner, desserts, baking, breads, Gluten Free, International, relishes, dips…please email recipes to [email protected] . Please type your recipe or just send a photo of the recipe. Please include your family name and indicate if you want your name published with your recipe. Send as many recipes as you like, we cannot guarantee every recipe will be in the book, but we would like every family to have at least one. If you are not sure what season a recipe fits into, please just send it in anyway. Alternatively, you can hand it in hard copy to school. We would love to have recipes in by Monday 27th, you will get a follow up call from class reps after this date to invite you to submit a recipe. If you have already contributed a recipe that you think fits into Autumn, then thank you and feel free to send more! Recipe Tester Families If you are interested in being a Recipe tester and your family will try eating some new recipes, please email [email protected] or contact Maria Williams, 027 461 6665. Photos If you have any fantastic photos that you feel capture the essence of Autumn, with or without children and/or food, we would appreciate these as well. Please email them through to the above email address.If you would like to join our committee team, to help us plan and create the book please contact us.



Opening Hours: Monday - 2.45pm to 3.15pm Friday – 8.45am to 9.15am (Located Beside Room 3 – open other times by request) Contact Details: [email protected] or Kate Donaldson 027 6229226

How the Uniform Shop Works Did you know that School Tex (uniforms) costs the same at our uniform shop as the warehouse? However when you buy it with us our school gets a bigger rebate. By supporBng the uniform shop you are supporBng the kids in our school! We really appreciate your support.

Second Hand Sale – Monday 27th March Time: 2.30- 3.15pm Mark this date in your diary for great second hand winter bargains. If you would like to donate clothes for the PTA to sell or if you want to sell on behalf of please contact Kate.

PTA AGM The AGM will be held on March 29th at 7.00pm in the school staffroom. Everyone welcome to attend. Position Vacant………President. It is not a huge job as there is a fabulous committee to support you so have a think about it and if you think this might be you just come along to the AGM or let one of the PTA know. Many thanks

FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY Stocktake at the Warehouse on April 7 & 8, 7 pm to 4 am both nights. We want to get 20 volunteers (10 people for each night). Planning on 3 or 4 hour shifts per person. We have the potential to make upwards of $4000. Any questions, contact Jen McLean @ 021 2700 760

SPORT

Miniball 2017 I have 7 Year 4 – 6 people keen to play miniball and 2 Year 7 & 8 boys. It's a great way to keep fit with friends on Friday nights at the Molyneux Stadium and we have Mr Dyson keen to share his skills. Miniball skill training for anyone wanting to play in 2017 will begin with Mr Dyson on Wednesday 22nd March 1pm – 1:30pm on our miniball court. Head out and have a go if you are not sure about how to play or whether you will like it. If you are interested in playing miniball this year please email [email protected] Registration forms will be given out to players on Wednesday 22nd. Year 4 you are able to join in the Year 4-6 grade this year – don’t miss out on this fun sport.

Netball 2017 If your child wishes to play netball this year, please email [email protected] or complete the form below. Camille O’Connor has entered a Year 5 & 6 team for the unusually early Alexandra Tournament on 1st April from those who have already indicated their wish to play this season. She will be in touch regarding coaching before then. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------St Gerard’s Netball 2017 ______________ will be playing netball this year. Year level ___________ I _____________ am available to coach a team. I _____________ am available to manage a team Phone: _______________ Email: _______________________ Central Otago Triathlon: On Monday Mr Yeoman gave information and permission slips to those who wish to compete in the Central Otago Triathlon. Please ensure that these are returned to Mrs Beilby asap so that confirmed teams can be entered. Thank you to those who have already attended to this – especially the year 7 & 8 campers – well done!

ST GERARDS HOCKEY Alexandra Hockey Club Year 7 & 8 Welcome to the Alexandra Hockey Club 2017. https://memberdesq.sportstg.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main&OrgID=21147 REGISTRATIONS FOR YEAR 7 & 8 PLAYERS ARE NOW OPEN Senior woman and men registrations are also now open. If you registered last year you only need to update your details. To do this go onto the link above and click on the Login tab. If you have remembered your log in and password from last year, enter this. If not click on the forgot password and they will email a login and password to you. If you are year 7 and played for your school last year you will need to email [email protected] (Shannon Tait) so a transfer can be requested before you update your details. Do not complete a new registration. Once you hear by email your transfer is completed, please Login as above and follow instructions. If you are year 9 this year and want to play for Dunstan you will need to contact Dale Hutton on [email protected], she will need to request a transfer. Registrations need to be completed by 24/3/17 and subs paid by 7/4/17- this is to enable us to have teams entered into competition by 31/3/2017 Please use the submit only option not the submit and pay we are not setup for this. Payment is directly into our bank account, details below. Please ignore amount that are shown on the website. The amounts are as below. If you are unable to pay your subs in full please contact Maree on [email protected] for payment options. Bank acct details Alexandra Hockey Club 06 0917 0003633 00 (please make sure your payment is tagged with your name) Subs Kwiksticks $85 Senior Women $155 KWIKSTICKS A trial will be held on the 28/3/17 in Cromwell from 4.00- 6.00 pm. These will be the trials that the teams will be named from so if you are unable to make these please text Shannon 027 421 2225 SENIOR WOMEN - please contact Paula 027 6322043 for further information Competition starts 2/3rd May for Kwiksticks, with 2 rounds of 6 aside Senior Womens competition starts on 6th May with warm up games.

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Fun sticks are under 7 and are on every second Sunday afternoon. Cost $25

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Mini sticks (C grade) are year 3 and 4 and are on every Sunday. Cost $75

• Kiwi sticks (B grade) is year 5 and 6 Cost $75 There are two competitions for this grade: Thursday night or Saturday morning. Depending on numbers we may only have a Thursday night team or have some children play in both competitions. Children wear sports tops, black shorts, mouthguards, shin pads, St Gerard’s school socks (green, yellow rugby socks) and need a hockey stick. Each team needs a coach and a manager.

The teams will practise on the turf in Alexandra on Friday after school. Funsticks do not practise at the turf on a Friday but will practise at lunchtime every second week and will do some skills during school time. Hockey starts in Term 2. There is a registration meeting on Wednesday 29th of March 3pm in Room 2. At this meeting we will have computers ready for you to fill out the online registration and you can pay your subs. Also we need coaches and managers. Please email me if you would love to do this job. If you cannot make this meeting please contact me.

Thanks Julie Flannery [email protected] 0275314097

JUNIOR SQUASH Introductory Days. Sunday 19th March and Sunday 26th March starting at 3pm. Rackets available. Non marking shoes (not black soles) required. Parents welcome to join in. Existing juniors also invited to attend. Location: Molyneux Park on the way to the Swimming pool. Any inquiries to Tony van Kempen 4488000 anytime, or 0274416429

GENERAL NEWSBOARD

CURIOUS MINDS Our senior students were very excited to learn they had been featured on the website Curious Minds regarding their river monitoring project. This is a fantastic article with photos and quotes from our students so well worth a look.

http://www.curiousminds.nz/stories/how-do-you-test-water-quality/

Ted and Arn are selling their basketball hoop. It is portable and the hoop is adjustable to any height. They would like $60ono please.

ST PATRICKS DAY St Patricks Day is tomorrow (FRIDAY) and children are welcome to dress up for this. It is not an official mufti day so they can choose to wear their uniform or something Irish!!!!

UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY 2017 GREAT KIWI SCIENCE, ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS COMPETITION

Your child has the opportunity to participate in the above competitions. These exams replace the Australian ones that the school used to offer. These Kiwi competitions are written by New Zealand teachers for New Zealand students and are based on the NZ curriculum. The competitions are administered by the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring which is a not-for-profit centre at the University of Canterbury. The competitions are open to all Year 5 - 8 students. Students can enter in one or more subjects. Entry forms at office.