News

Good morning. A reminder today is the last day of term and school finishes at 1pm today. Merry Christmas and Blessings everyone

Good afternoon all – Your child will be bringing home school photos and their report. Blessings for your weekend.

Hello everyone, I just spoke to the photographer and the school photos are being dropped off to us tomorrow. Regards Karen

Important notice to all our families

Dear parents and families

During these unusual times we have had to make some difficult decisions regarding the end of year events. All of us have been affected with the Covid outbreak throughout this last year. We know that events both in and out of schools have been cancelled or alternative arrangements have been made.  We have thought very carefully how we can follow the Ministry of Education guidelines, protect our children and our community leading up to Christmas while acknowledging our Year 6 leavers, their families and those who have exceeded in areas. 

In addition, we are a building site, leaving very limited spaces around the school, especially with the weather now playing a factor.

We have our Year 6 Graduation Mass tomorrow night at 6pm. Due to the school staying in Level 2 until the end of the school year and our church now at Orange Level this will only be for the Year 6 children and three family members only. This is a vaccinated mass for people who are vaccinated if over 12 years of age. Awards will be given out for these children on this night, along with their bibles, candles and scrolls.

There will be no formal prize giving assembly next Tuesday as there are too many factors and we cannot guarantee the safety of our school community and compliance with Ministry of Education guidelines.  

The Mercy certificates will be awarded to children in their classrooms and this will be acknowledged in 2022 as well. 

We will begin 2022 with a welcome liturgy, announcing our Whanau Leaders for the year and welcoming Mr Matthew Clark to our school.

Thank you for your understanding

Abundant Advent blessings

The staff at Our Lady of Lourdes school

A message from our Board of Trustees

Kia ora/ Hello to Our Lady of Lourdes School Community

The Board of Trustees is writing this letter to our school as part of the Covid-19 Public Health Response order, to reiterate the expectations of our school community.  Our board continues to prioritise the well-being and safety of our children/tamariki and follows the guidelines set by the Ministry of Education to our school regarding Covid-19.

The requirements for visiting the school office or school grounds for purposes relating to your child’s education requires you to do the following:

Scan in/or sign in at the office
Wear a mask (for the entire time you are on school grounds)
Sanitise – (available in the office)
Respect the 2m rule at all times

Unfortunately we have had incidents where parents are not adhering to these simple but effective requirements that are in place to protect our tamariki/children. This is a gentle reminder from the level of governance within our school, and by the government mandated regulations rules, to please support the current requirements  that have been set for schools to implement. 

The Principal and Board Presiding member continue to read through all advice and guidelines that are set by the Ministry of Education regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, for our responsibility in relation to this and ensuring our school is doing all that is required.

As you are aware the Mandate within schools took effect from November 15th. For our school community this means; the vaccination requirements apply wherever in person schooling occurs, such as on the school site, but also school camps, swimming pools, museums, etc. or where other education outside the classroom (EOTC) programmes take place. If you wish to be involved as a parent helper in any events after November 15th, we will need evidence of your vaccination/s.

In accordance with Catholic Social Teaching and Catholic Moral Theology, the Board prioritises care of the vulnerable and upholds the principle of the Common Good. 

We deem that, because our school children are under 12 years old and cannot be vaccinated, that they are a vulnerable population in the pandemic. It is therefore incumbent on the Board to support the staff to ensure the legal duty of care for our children.

 Yours sincerely

 Our Lady of Lourdes school Board of Trustees. 

Maria Amey – Presiding Member. 

SCHOOL PHOTOS

Hello families. 

A reminder that school photo’s are taking place from 8.55am tomorrow morning.

Unfortunately the last day for handing in your school photo order forms to the school office was Friday 29th October as the order forms were picked up on Friday by the photographer. 

Any late order forms will need to be taken to Brendan Lodge Photography after school today.  His studio is at 231 Main Street, Palmerston North.

We cannot accept any late forms tomorrow morning as all the organisation regarding times slots/schedules is being done by the photograher today in preparation for tomorrow.

Kind regards, Karen Worsley

A reminder that tomorrow if the final day for ordering school photos. Please make sure your child returns their envelop tomorrow. Blessings

TOUCH RUGBY FEE REFUNDS – information for those who have paid touch rugby fees.

To those families who paid their touch rugby fees by way of cash to the school office – I have given your child’s teacher a full cash refund to be given out to those who require it at the end of the school day to take home.

To those families who paid their touch rugby fees by way of internet banking – I have reimbursed these payments via internet banking today.

Please contact the school office next week if you have any queries regarding the above.

Have a wonderful long weekend and we will see you all on Tuesday.

Karen Worsley, Office Administrator

Hi everyone. Just a quick note to let you all know your children are fine and coped with the earthquake really well. Blessings