We have had a great start to the year with a calm, settled, happy and well-organised first few days. We begin this year with an increased roll, and we hope that our new students and whānau quickly feel part of our St Catherine's whānau.

Yesterday it was wonderful to welcome all of our students back. We welcome back our International students, ten students join us from Japan, and two will be with us for the whole year.

Welcome to our new whānau, and it was wonderful to host some of you after our powhiri. Manaakitanga - hospitality is a key value and significant to us as Mercy.

From Catherine McAuley, we learn to reach out to others, especially when they are lonely or sad. Our greatest gift is to welcome another and to share a love that warms -their hearts.

May our doors always be open to those looking for a place to call home.

May a good cup of tea awaits every visitor who knocks at our door.

For none comes without a gift, and no guest leaves without a blessing, in Mercy's name.

Amen.

This term, we have several events that we hope whānau will be able to join us. Coming up in the next three weeks, we have;

• Monday 13th Feb   Pasifika Parents Asosi Fono 5-7pm
• Tuesday 14 February  SCC Athletics day- Newtown Park
• Wednesday 14th Feb  Academic Mass - St Patrick's Church 12.10 pm
• Friday 17th Feb  FAITH Food and Whānau 5.30 pm
• Saturday 18th Feb  E-Waste Day

NCEA Results

We are incredibly proud of our achievements from last year.  We will have more details in the following weeks.  Well done to all our students, and a huge thank you to our whānau and staff for all our patience, support and encouragement.

Year 10 Retreat - Hiruhārama/Jerusalem Whangnui
A heads up that Year 10 will be on Retreat Wednesday, 15 March - 17 March, approximately $200. More information will be coming out about this next week. Whānau may wish to join us on this trip. If you are concerned about the cost, don't hesitate to contact us. We want all students to be able to attend.

Secondhand Uniform and Devices

If you have a device at home belonging to the school, please return it so it can be reissued. If you have any uniform that is no longer of use, we are in desperate need.

School Photos

Thursday, 16th February 2023, 8:45 - 11:15

Here is the link for pre-ordering photos  https://orders.lcscott.co.nz/ordering/with?key=AM4SM8W4

Attendance

As you will know, we will continue to work with you on attendance as a priority next year because of its critical link with participation and progress in learning.

Daily attendance is essential, but the key measure we report on is regular attendance over a term. Regular attendance is where students have attended school and/or kura for more than 90% of available half-days (an average of nine days a fortnight).

Our goal is 90%+ attendance - this equates to 5 sick days per term.