Phone : 04 939 1725 Fax: 04 939 1724 School email: [email protected] Website: www.stteresas.ac.nz Principal : [email protected] Report Absences: [email protected]

Wednesday 13th March 2019 Dear families

We are now into the second week of Lent: a six-week preparation for Jesus’ death and resurrection, for Christians around the world. We teach the children to work on being the best person they can be.

Once again, our children shared what we value with our community—when they shared these prayers at our Ash Wednesday Mass last week:

When we fail to wear the coat of compassion, we do not see the needs of others. Forgive us Lord, help us to be clothed in Christ. When we fail to wear the coat of kindness, we neglect to help others when they need us. Forgive us Lord, help us to be clothed in Christ. When we fail to wear the coat of humility, we put ourselves above others. Forgive us Lord, help us to be clothed in Christ. When we fail to wear the coat of gentleness, we do not show tenderness and warmth to others. Forgive us Lord, help us to be clothed in Christ. When we fail to wear the coat of patience, we do not show a willingness to understand others. Forgive us Lord, help us to be clothed in Christ. When we fail to wear the coat of tolerance, we judge others and don’t accept and appreciate their differ- ences. Forgive us Lord, help us to be clothed in Christ. When we fail to wear the coat of forgiveness, we are not looking after our relationships. Forgive us Lord, help us to be clothed in Christ. When we fail to wear the coat of love, we are not being true and faithful followers of Jesus. Forgive us Lord, help us to be clothed in Christ

Measles Outbreak in Christchurch

While we have NOT been notified of any cases of measles in our community, I thought it was timely to let you know what we would do if we were notified of a case:.

From the information you provided to us on enrolment, we keep a register of which children have been immunized, which have not, and which children we have not received information about. In the case of a measles outbreak, we would inform you, and we would contact individual families whose children are not (or may not be) immunised. We would ask those families to keep their child home until after the outbreak. Tomorrow’s Schools Independent Review:

Currently, there is an extensive review happening around the country in relation to our education system. The current system, “Tomorrow’s Schools”, was introduced in 1989 including the introduction of autonomous, self-governing schools across .

An independent task-force was set up to review this system. After consulting widely, they have published a report on their findings and a set of recommendations. Their report addresses eight key issue that they have identified:

Key Issue 1: Governance Key Issue 2: Schooling Provision Key Issue 3: Choice and Competition Key Issue 4: Disability and Learning Support Key Issue 5: Teaching Key Issue 6: School Leadership Key Issue 7: Resourcing Key Issue 8: Central Agencies

As Principal, I am involved with several school networks that have discussed and questioned the report, and we have prepared submissions from various perspectives. Our school’s Board of Trustees have also discussed the report in brief, and a working group is planning to meet to review more deeply and send in a submission.

Yesterday, I attended a task-force consultation with Principals from around . The task-force group presented several reasons for significant change in the NZ Education system, including these key reasons:

 New Zealand’s current national education system is heavily bureaucratic and restrictive—a one size fits all approach, which is driven by compliance. This has led to a lack of responsiveness to school issues by the Ministry of Education, an erosion of trust between schools and in the Ministry of Education, and ultimately not making a difference for learners;

 New Zealand’s current national education system is not solving the problems associated with inequitable access to education, which are strongly associated with income, opportunity and ethnicity in New Zealand as a nation. It is difficult for schools to make a difference for children’s learning within the current funding constraints (especially in relation to children with additional learning needs, and those who don’t fit the norm);

 Boards of Trustees, Teachers and Principals around the country have reported that there is too much to do and not enough time to do it. This has meant that Principals and Boards of Trustees are not able to fully focus on what is important for learning, and what is important for their community.

There are several areas that the task-force acknowledge have not been addressed or communicated effectively in their recommendations in the report. The task-force have received feedback about these at the various meetings around the country, including:

 How State Integrated schools (like St Teresa’s, and all other Catholc schools) fit within the recommendations. Our special character, our appointments processes, governance structure, proprietory structures, etc are very different to other schools;

 The details are thin about what the proposed “hubs” would actually look like, their exact size and geographical challenges, how these would work exactly, and how they would be governed;

 The proprosed five-year contracts of principals are currently not explained clearly in the report

It is important that as many people as possible engage in this country-wide conversation as it will have a significant impact on the future of education in New Zealand. Please take time to read the report, and have your say before 7 April 2019. Full Report: https://conversation.education.govt.nz/assets/TSR/Tomorrows-Schools-Review-Report- 13Dec2018.PDF Have your say: https://conversation.education.govt.nz/conversations/tomorrows-schools-review/

Property Update Toilets: Over the past couple of weeks we have had problems with the senior girls ’ toilets. Due to the age of the building, one plumbing component needs to be replaced. In the meantime, we have carried out remedial work each time the problem has occurred, but more extensive work is needed. This will be carried out by the Archdiocese of Wellington. Retaining wall and Stairs: The Archdiocese have now given us a start date for the replacement of the retaining wall and stairs to the top field. Work will start in the April holidays—and is likely to continue through the first two-three weeks of Term Two. Adult Learning for 2019 Each year, our teachers and support staff learn alongside the children. This year, our focus areas are:

 Accelerated Literacy Learning—supporting chil- dren who have fallen behind to progress faster than their peers to catch up. This is our second year, and is a Wellington Catholic Schools Kāhui Ako ~ Com- munity of Learning initiative—alongside other schools;

 Mahitahi—also a Literacy Support, but involving only specific children who have been identified as needing more intensive support. A facilitator is working 1:1 with the teacher so that they now know how to support each child within the classroom programme;

 Incredible Years programme—this programme supports teachers (and parents) to support children’s behaviour at home and at school;

 Wellbeing Toolkit—this programme guides the teachers through different methods for protecting their own wellbeing so that they can do their job effectively. We also have a well being seminar planned for parents;

 New Teachers in Catholic Schools - for teachers who have just joined us. This PLD is supported by Archdiocese of Wellington;

 In-Service & Targeted Professional Learning — guiding our teachers through effective practice, related to planning, assessment, reporting, and teaching and Learner Agency, special needs, school leadership;

 Innovative Practice - a group of teachers hope to attend the U-Learn Confer- ence, in Rotorua during the October school holidays. Teacher Professional Inquiry Deputy Principal, Pip Cook, is carrying out a professional inquiry into strengthening learning pathways into school, and from school to college. This investigation will evaluate practice in transitions, and in Intermediate Learning programmes, and working with the teachers and students to try some new ideas—once again, evaluating effectiveness. Pip’s professional inquiry is supported by the work we are doing with other schools in the Wellington Catholic Schools Kāhui Ako ~ Community of Learning.

Kind regards and God bless, Mary-Angela Tombs Kia ora koutou Here is some up-to–date information by some Year Seven and Eight Students.

Cricket—Wellington Cup This year, St Teresa’s School has entered three teams in the Wellington Cup: Boys Year 7/ 8 team, Girls Year7/8 (with some Year 6 girls) and a Boys Year 5/6 team. This is for very serious cricketers and is a knock out competition, after the first round. The team is selected within the school and run with the support of parents. St Teresa's School is very lucky to have some great cricketers and very keen parents. The Year 5/6 Boys have had one game against Karori Normal School and just lost, they play Thorndon on Friday. The girls also play this Friday and play two games in one day.

For the last 3 years Paul Bishop has taken the Year 7/8 Boys teams, this is his recount of a great win against Karori Normal School. They also played Wadestown on Monday, and won, however got knocked out by Wellesly.

Missing is George (Year 8) “ Firstly the game on Monday was pretty special. I can’t remember a time when St Teresa’s could even field a year 7 and 8 boys team to compete in a tournament let alone get up and win against a much larger school like Karori Normal. We restricted KNS to 163 and chased it down with 3 balls to spare. The special moments for me in the field were Jamie’s catch to get the first wicket, Dom (Year 7) bowling out Adam (Karori Normal Player) cheaply who is always capable of big runs and Josh M and George taking crucial wickets during the KNS innings. In the batting I saw a coming of age performance from Dom (Year 7) who opened the batting brilliantly for 34, Carter (Year 8) cameoed with the bat taking 12 off one over when we needed quick runs and a proud dad moment to watch Zach hit the ball to all parts in a match winning 90 not out. All the KNS parents came up and said it was a very special knock too. One of the real highlights for me was watching Ollie (Year 7) running between wickets, picking up crucial singles and competing out in the middle in the final overs. He did a great job and something he will remember for a long time I would think”. - From Paul (Zach’s Dad)

Zach from Mānuka is our Person of the Week. He has stepped up to his role as a House Captain & Year 8 leader this year. Zach has a good work ethic in class & recently decided to give the NZ Maths Challenge a go for the first time ! He is kind & patient with the younger children at our school. Zach led by example in the recent cricket tournament. He was the opening bat for our schools 1st X1 scoring 90 against Karori Normal & 65 in the game against Wadestown school. Congratulations on those two top innings ! Well Done !

Congratulations to our latest Busy bee recipients: Kirdan, Ella, Jack & Oliver

Weetbix Tryathlon on Sunday! We are looking forward to seeing on all those who are entering the Weetbix Tryathlon, at Kilbirnie Park. In previous years the St Teresa families have enjoyed sitting together. Look out for the school flag at the stage end of the park. Remember to bring sunscreen, sunhats, a jacket, a water bottle, something to sit on and snacks. There will be food and drink for sale, but there are usually long queues. It would be great if someone could get photos of the whole St Teresa’s group during the morning, plus any other photos for the next newsletter. See you there! We love to hear all the news of our current & former students & what they do away from St Teresa’s !

We heard that Molly O’Sullivan (leaver in 2018) won the Year 9 Athletic Cup at Wellington Girl’s recently. Looks like she won this race by a decent distance. Go Molly go ! !

We saw that Angus (Mānuka) and his sister Beatrice & dad Rob did the ‘Round the Bays’ together ! Good work !

Congratulations to Zach Bishop & the Year 7 Karori Rep team who won the ‘Stew Slater’ Cup recently.

Zach was captain of the winning team.

Well Done ! OPEN DAY Sunday April 28th St Teresa’s Court 3.00 – 4.30 pm Come along to meet your team, pick up your uniform and enjoy a sausage! Your coach/manager will be in touch with your years allocated uniform collection time ——————————————————————————————————- Registrations These closed on 1st March but we have now extended this for years 2-4 until Thursday 14th March following Hamish Sutherlands (Ellie, Freya and Charlie’s Dad) Netball Session on Wednesday in case we have any more children who would like to participate in Netball this winter season. ——————————————————————————————————-

Fees Will remain as they have the past few years at: Years 2-4 $40 Years 5-8 $80, $10 discount per sibling Registration Fees cover: Wellington West Netball Subs (access to coaching courses and resources) Team Bag and Gear (Balls, Bibs) for the season Uniform for the season (with the exception of Year 2) Sausage Sizzle on Open Day A full season of Netball (Year 2’s have a mini tournament) End of Season prize giving (certificates and awards) Fees are due by 31 March 2019. Please deposit into the St Teresa’s Netball bank account 38-9000-0918699-00. Please contact me directly on [email protected] or 0221359327 if you have trouble covering the cost of the fees as I’m sure we can come to an arrangement MAKE A NOTE— The St Tez Sausage Sizzle is back—next Wednesday – 20th March