Kia ora e te whānau o Te Kura o Hato Karama Katorika,

I hope you have all enjoyed a restful break and are feeling refreshed for the term ahead. As we begin this new term, I would like to remind everyone that we finished Term 2 with a high number of illnesses. Please continue to monitor your children for any flu-like symptoms and keep them home if they are unwell. This helps us protect the health and well-being of everyone in our school community.

Winter sports continue for the next five to six weeks; I wish all teams and athletes the very best for the second half of their seasons. Good luck to our Year 7 and 8 students who will be representing SCCS at the Totara Springs Winter Sports Tournament and AIMS Games. We’re proud of your effort and commitment.

We look forward to welcoming new families and students at our Mihi Whakatau on Monday 21 July at 9.30am. We will celebrate their arrival along with our new Learning Assistants at our Welcome Mass on Wednesday 23rd July at 9.45am.

Term 3 Learning Theme: SCCS Readers and Writers Festival

This term, our school-wide learning focus will celebrate the joy of reading and writing. We will explore the work of New Zealand authors and illustrators and engage in rich learning experiences that combine literacy and drama.

There will be plenty of opportunities for students to meet special guests, showcase their creativity and grow a lifelong love of storytelling.

- Monday 4 August (Week 4) – Kate De Goldi Inspired Writing Competition closes

- Wednesday 20 August (Week 6) – Book Cover Design Competition closes               

- Week 7 – Scholastic Book Fair

- Friday 5 September (Week 8) – Story Illustration Competition closes

- Wednesday 10 September (Week 9) – Book Character Dress-Up Parade      

- Thursday 11 September (Week 9) – SCCS Story Writing Competition closes

We can’t wait to see the creativity, imagination and enthusiasm our tamariki bring to the festival!

Thank you all for your ongoing support of our school community. Let’s make Term 3 a term full of learning, connection and celebration.

Gareth Duncan
Principal
St Columba’s Catholic School

Nominations are officially opening this Friday, 18 July for the 2025 Triennial School Board Elections, which will take place between 3 – 19 September 2025, with the voting day set for Wednesday 10 September hail.to+8schoolboardelections.org.nz+8education.govt.nz+8.

This is your chance to contribute directly to our school’s governance. Whether you'd like to nominate yourself or someone you know as a parent representative or simply learn more, we encourage everyone to get involved. Board roles are open to all parents, community members and staff members are eligible to stand in staff elections. Our school thrives when our community has a voice in shaping the future. Please keep an eye out for more election details and think about how you might participate.

We warmly invite all dads, granddads, uncles or the significant men in your child’s life to join us for our Dads & Lads Free Breakfast.

Our special guest speaker this term is Steve Holloway from the Between Two Beers podcast. Steve will be sharing a few powerful messages for our dads on how we can support our boys to build resilience and the importance of never giving up.

This is a great opportunity to spend quality time with your son, enjoy a cooked breakfast, and hear a message that supports our vision of raising strong, kind and confident young men.

When: Friday 25th July
Time: 7.15am start
Where: St Columba’s Catholic School Hall

Come along, enjoy the kōrero and start the day together.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Our next Parish School Mass will be held on Sunday 14th September at 10am. This Mass will be led by the students and teachers of Teams 1 and 2 (Years 0 - 3). As part of our commitment to Catholic education, it is an expectation that all Teams 1 and 2 students attend.  Families have made an intentional decision to send their children to a Catholic school, and participation in Mass is one of the ways we live out our faith together as a school community. We appreciate your support in ensuring your child is present for this important celebration.

Teams 1 and 2 will be taking an active leadership role in the Mass. This is a special opportunity for our students to share their gifts and take part in the life of our parish.

While attendance is expected for Teams 1 and 2 students, all year levels are warmly encouraged to join us. We look forward to seeing our school and parish community come together to celebrate Mass.

All students attending are to wear their full winter school uniform.

Please mark this date in your family calendar.

Key Catholic Character Dates for Term 3

Welcome Mass - Wednesday 23rd July at 9.45am
Assumption Parish Mass - Friday 15th August at 9am (with St Columba Parish - Teams 1-4)
Baptism Liturgy - Tuesday 19th August at 9.45am
Parish/School Mass - Sunday 14th September at 10am
End of Term Mass - Thursday 18th September at 9.45am

In the Heart of Euphrasie Barbier
Jolan Search

Please ensure that your school account, whether for technology, Kids Club, camp fees or other activities, remains up to date.  Overdue accounts are a drain on our school funding, as we are required to pay up front for the services that are then billed to you.  Please help us by paying on time.

Payment arrangements are available to those who need support. Contact the school office for any assistance.

Our Young Vinnies are holding an appeal to help those in our community who will be cold this winter. We're asking for your help!

Please bring in any spare, warm, winter blankets, duvets, hats, socks, gloves, and jackets that you no longer need. We will gladly take them and deliver them to help other people keep warm with this frosty winter coming up.

You can drop off your donations at the school office.

If you have any questions, please contact Whaea Kerry at kerryr@sccs.school.nz or 021 590 410.