Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends of St Mary’s School,

Week Three and what a busy time it is for all of us who are involved in any way in sport.

It’s that time which happens every four years when we all know what it is to ‘win by an ipon’, ‘catch a crab’, or ‘lose by T.K.O.  Yes, the Olympics are on, and you can only marvel at the amazing ability at the athletes that we watch and the amazing feats of skill, strength and endurance that they display. 

 What we must not lose sight of though is that these performances were not just made by someone wandering up and saying ‘can I have a row’ but rather by immensely talented athletes who have dedicated years to their sport.  Often making huge personal sacrifice along the way. 

 The one sport in the Olympics that I can comment on with any knowledge is rowing, I know what is required to achieve at national level and the jump to international level is immense.  To have a crew like Bond and Murray in such a technical boat is a huge boost for New Zealand rowing and our chances at the Olympics.  Every other crew is determined to win, there is no such thing as a ‘lay down—misere’.  Upsets happen, oars break and sport by it’s very nature is fickle.  We expect great things of our athletes, they expect more of themselves.

 But we must remember to temper our expectations especially of our own children.  We can encourage, support, nurture and even dream but if we want our children to play a sport to a high level we must ensure that they enjoy it.  As the American golfer Ray Floyd said “if you love what your doing you never work a day in your life”.

 So when we watch our children at their sport we need to remember that they are learning: skills, attitudes, values and setting goals.  Our job as parents is to offer support and hopefully they will continue to enjoy their sport and one day they may achieve something great.

 Have a great week.

Mike Brosnahan

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends of St Mary’s School,

 

Well it is official, the move is happening and it will be great!

The new school, which is what it will be—simply using the framing of the old but reconfigured into a new and contemporary way will be startling.

 Bill Hayden and Stuart Young presented a bright and innovative design to the school community at a parent meeting on Thursday night.

 The design incorporates all that is good in educational architecture for the twenty first century.

The moving of a school will obviously bring challenges but we as school leaders are committed to ensuring that the changes are as minor as possible.

 To ensure that you as our school community are as well informed as possible we will be putting regular updates either in our school or board newsletter.

Much of the information from our meeting held last Thursday night has been put up in the foyer and

further drawings etc. will also be displayed there.

 

 

Have a great week.

Mike Brosnahan

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends of St Mary’s School,

 Welcome back to everyone for Term Three.

Term Three promises to be a very busy term as we have a number of sporting events and cultural events timetabled to take place this term, culminating with our annual school musical in Week Eleven.

 As many of you will have heard, the shift of the school to the Holy Cross site is timetabled to take place so that we can be on site for the beginning of 2013.

The attitude of the BOT is that they will only put confirmed facts to you: No dreams, no aspirations and certainly no gossip.

If you hear information that doesn’t come from the school/BOT or Catholic Property Services please treat it as someone's opinion.

 So that the parent community is kept up to date with where we are at the moment—the BOT and the Catholic Diocese will be holding an information evening in the school foyer 7pm on Thursday evening.

The purpose of this evening is to keep all of you folk informed of where we are now—where we are going to and how we plan to get there.  So please come along.

 I will be in Oamaru today for our annual Year Seven and Eight interchange with St Joseph’s School.  This is always a great event as it ensures that our Year Seven and Eight group get another chance to meet with and compete against another group of their peers.

 

Have a great week.

Mike Brosnahan