OLA Connect Our Lady of the Assumption School Newsletter 89a Sparks Road, Hoon Hay, Christchurch 8025 Phone: 338-9503 Fax: 338-9502 Email: [email protected]OLA Website: www.ola.school.nz 10 th August 2017 Dear Parents and Caregivers Haere Mai, Talofa Lava, Maligayang pagdating, Malo e leilei, Hwan Yeong hamnida, Bienvenido, Fakaalofa lahi atu and Welcome. Our Lady of the Assumption Lord Jesus Christ, You have destroyed the power of death and given the hope of eternal life for body and soul. You granted your Mother a special place in your glory, and did not allow decay to touch her body. As we rejoice in the Assumption of Mary, grant us renewed confidence in the victory of life over death. Amen. Dear Parent/Caregivers Our Lady of the Assumption Feast Day Tuesday 15 th August The 15 th of August is not only our school’s feast day but is the whole country’s day as Our Lady of the Assumption is the patronal saint of New Zealand. This year marks 60 years since our school begin so we are celebrating our school’s 60 th ‘birthday’ on our upcoming Feast Day. The school was officially opened on 7 th February 1957 with a roll of 55 pupils. In the first two years the roll rose rapidly to 134 pupils. On that first, hot, enrolment day, parents, children and Father Galvin (Parish Priest) were grateful that they could sit in the shade on the floor joists of room 2 which was still under construction. Parents took turns driving the Sisters from the Order of the Good Shepherd to school each day to teach. Parents also formed a roster to clean the school. The Sisters and foundation parents exemplified going the extra mile and relationships between school and parish were strong. Mass for our school and parish will be celebrated by Fr Benito Velasco at 9.15 a.m. and all are welcome. Following Mass we will provide morning tea in the school grounds for parents and parishioners. During the day we have planned activities for our students to celebrate our school.
Transcript
OLA Connect Our Lady of the Assumption School Newsletter 89a Sparks Road, Hoon Hay, Christchurch 8025 Phone: 338-9503 Fax: 338-9502 Email: [email protected]
OLA Website: www.ola.school.nz
10th August 2017
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Haere Mai, Talofa Lava, Maligayang pagdating, Malo e leilei, Hwan Yeong hamnida, Bienvenido, Fakaalofa lahi atu and Welcome.
Our Lady of the Assumption
Lord Jesus Christ, You have destroyed the power of death and given the hope of eternal life for body and soul. You granted your Mother a special place in your glory, and did not allow decay to touch her body. As we rejoice in the Assumption of Mary, grant us renewed confidence in the victory of life over death. Amen. Dear Parent/Caregivers
Our Lady of the Assumption Feast Day Tuesday 15th August
The 15th of August is not only our school’s feast day but is the whole country’s day as Our Lady of the Assumption is the patronal saint of New Zealand. This year marks 60 years since our school begin so we are celebrating our school’s 60th ‘birthday’ on our upcoming Feast Day. The school was officially opened on 7th February 1957 with a roll of 55 pupils. In the first two years the roll rose rapidly to 134 pupils. On that first, hot, enrolment day, parents, children and Father Galvin (Parish Priest) were grateful that they could sit in the shade on the floor joists of room 2 which was still under construction. Parents took turns driving the Sisters from the Order of the Good Shepherd to school each day to teach. Parents also formed a roster to clean the school. The Sisters and foundation parents exemplified going the extra mile and relationships between school and parish were strong. Mass for our school and parish will be celebrated by Fr Benito Velasco at 9.15 a.m. and all are welcome. Following Mass we will provide morning tea in the school grounds for parents and parishioners. During the day we have planned activities for our students to celebrate our school.
What a busy two weeks it has been. We had huge interest in our auditions; many thanks to all those children who put their hand up and tried out for various roles. The auditions and the call back auditions have now been completed and the cast list is out! Congratulations to all those who have been cast. We look forward to seeing you perform on the night!
Literacy Quiz Two Teams will be participating this evening at Springston School Hall in the South West Schools Book Quiz alongside 144 other students from Primary schools in the South West zone. This is an annual event for children who love the sport of reading, the Quiz challenges and celebrates the reader athletes in each school community. So like all dedicated athletes they have put in some true dedication and training that will assist them to meet the challenges of quiz. We wish the 2 teams the best of luck for this evening and acknowledge the additional reading and tasks they have completed to represent OLA at quiz final tonight. Good Luck for tonight to the following students:
OLA Book Masters – Abby, Ciara, Saul, Hannah, Isla and Finn. Literature Lizards – Meghan, Tom, Will, Eva, Lola and Bryn
Hip Hop Team Our Hip Hop Team have been working with Min Bin (Choreographer) and Imogen McDonald to learn their dance routines together as a team. Their first competition, NZCAF, is this Saturday at Villa Maria College. Good luck to Jamie, Ruthie, Claudia, Freya, Maddie, Gaby, Alison, Niamh.
A very warm welcome to our new students, Neave in room 2 and Léala in room 1.
School Photo Orders School photo orders need to be brought into the office by 9am, Tues 15th August.
Parking Please remember parking in the staff carpark on Hoon Hay Rd and the carpark behind the church is not permitted for school drop off and pick up.
Trackpants We have black Asics and Biz tracksuit pants for sale in the school office. The Asics are $40 and the Biz are $32.50. We have a range of sizes from 6 through to 16. If you would like to try on or purchase a pair, please call in to the school office. We can charge the cost to your school account.
Surveys The response rate to the uniform and pastoral care surveys was really high. Thanks to all who took the time to respond; we really appreciate your interest in both areas. The earlier School Travel Survey that was undertaken by both Our Lady of the Assumption and Hoon Hay parents and students has been collated by Sarah Cooper, Christchurch City Council. This report is attached to this newsletter email. Our next step is to from a group with representatives from both schools to develop a plan around this. If you are interested in being part of this group can you please contact Carolyn or Kim in the school office.
Many thanks for the fantastic response to the Uniform Survey. 112 families gave us feedback, which is representative of approximately 60% of our families in the OLA Community. As we advised, this survey was an opportunity to consult with the community to get a feel if the current school uniform is still serving the purpose of the students and school community and if there is a need for the Board to complete a more detailed uniform review. The overall summary of your feedback was as follows:
Number Participants
Yes No
Are you satisfied with the existing OLA uniform?
112 51% 49%
Are you satisfied with the current Winter Uniform for Boys?
64 69% 30%
Are you satisfied with the current Winter Uniform for Girls?
55 62% 35%
Are you satisfied with the current Summer uniform for Boys?
52 85% 13%
Are you satisfied with the current Summer uniform for Boys?
56 70% 27%
Are you satisfied with the current Sports uniform?
72 39% 61%
The Board Uniform Sub Committee will now drill down on the results and feedback to establish where further action is required. We will report back to you once we have had the opportunity to also consult with Staff and analyse all the information.
Many Thanks – OLA Board of Trustees
Roading Changes and the Local Cycleway Progress At this stage we can only provide you with a broad brush timetable, but shortly there should be more detail which we will pass on to you. “Council hope to start construction of the cycleway between Moorhouse Avenue and Victors Road in September and will let the contract in two parts (1. Moorhouse to Roker and 2. Roker to Victors). Completion of all the works is not expected until late April 2018 and the main works adjacent to the school are unlikely to be started until 2018 as this is anticipated to be the last section completed.”
On Tuesday 8th August I was fortunate enough to accompany a group of 6 teams to the South West Zone Winter Sports Tournament. Over the course of the tournament all of our teams performed very well, demonstrating a high level of sportsmanship and school spirit. We are fortunate enough to have had our year 5 & 6 hockey team place 1st in the tournament, our year 7 & 8 netball team place 2nd and our year 5 & 6 football team place 3rd. I would also like to give a big thank you to all the parents who gave up their time to help support a team. Mr Gasparini
Information Evening for Yr 5 & 6 Children and Parents On Wednesday 30th August the Hillary Team will be running an information evening about learning and opportunities in Yr 7 & 8 at Our Lady of the Assumption School. All Year 5 & 6 children and parents are invited. For details please refer to the notice that went home yesterday with Yr 5 & 6 children.
How to contact us
Telephone: 338 9503 Facebook: Our Lady of the Assumption School
App (Search Our Lady of the Assumption) www.ola.school.nz
Remember, the app is free and is a great way of receiving school updates and the newsletter. You can even use it to report your child’s absence. If you need any help with downloading the app, facebook page or website, please call in and see us in the school office.
Principal’s Awards
A big congratulations to these children who have received a Principal’s Award for their outstanding work over the past two
Disco Friday 11th August Year 1-4 (Rutherford & Sheppard Teams) 5:30pm – 7:00pm Year 5-8 (Batten & Hillary Teams) 7:30pm – 9:00pm We need 30mins to clean up between discos, so please do not drop your older children off before 7:30pm.
Phone Book Fundraiser 2017 Mark Saturday 16 September 2017 in your diaries. We are asking parents to drive cars (a trailer is great if you have one), load up and deliver to a couple of streets in the Halswell area. The more helpers we get, the quicker the job will be done. Uniform Sale Wednesday 6 September 2017 Fair News White Elephant - We will be collecting good quality items (no electrical) in Term 4. Volunteers - Can you help the PTA with our upcoming Fair? Could you spare an hour or two to help man the Bouncy Castle or help out on one of our other attractions? Then please email [email protected] and let us know.
Coming up section!
Week 3 Friday 11th August
Assembly 2:20 p.m. – Hall (Room 3) School Disco – Juniors 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. School Disco – Seniors 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Week 4 Monday 13th August Tuesday 15th August Friday 18th August
Parish Confirmation 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. OLA Church Our Lady of the Assumption Feast Day – Mass 9 a.m. Assembly 2:20 p.m. – Hall (Room 9)
Week 5 Thursday 24th August Friday 25th August
Mass 9 a.m. (Sheppard Team) Assembly 2:20 p.m. – Hall (Room 7)
Week 6 Friday 1st September
Assembly 2:20 p.m. – Hall (Room 10)
Week 7 Thursday 7th September Friday 8th September
Mass 9 a.m. (Batten Team) Assembly 2:20 p.m. – Hall (Room 11)
Week 8 Friday 15th September
Assembly 2:20 p.m. – Hall (Room 4)
God Bless
Janet and the Team at Our Lady of the Assumption School
If you, or anyone you know, would like to find out more about how to become a Catholic, please call 021-298-5017 or talk with a priest. You are also welcome to come along to an enquiry evening, either Thursday 3rd or 10th August, 7.15pm in the Sacred Heart Church Hall, Spencer St, Addington.
Catholics Returning Home is a four week programme for non-practicing Catholics interested in renewing their life in the Church. The programme is welcoming, confidential and gives participants a chance to tell their story if they wish. The programme updates participants on recent changes in the Church. It starts soon in the following location in Christchurch.
Tuesdays at Papanui Parish (August 29th –September 26th) starting at 7pm until 9pm, St Joseph's Parish Centre, Papanui.
Please feel very welcome to attend or you may know of someone you could support by inviting them to this programme. For details phone 0508 HOME NOW (0508 466 366) or visit www.catholicshomenow.co.nz
