St Marys PTA Newsletter

Term 3:  12 August 11

Hi Everyone...St Marys is a very busy place this term and much is happening  Specific Contacts will be listed with each event/announcement, but if you have any general or  specific questions regarding the PTA please contact Jackie Hinchcliff @ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call/text @ 0225 400 600

Now Here We Go....

Grandparents Day:  Monday 15 August

The PTA is providing morning tea after Mass for these special people in our children’s lives.  We have contacted parents in Rooms 11, 12 and 13 for baking donations (muffins, cupcakes, biscuits or slices).  The Parish Hall will be open at 8:00am for drop off.  If you are available to help serve tea and coffee and/or help with clean up after morning tea it would be greatly appreciated.  Just make yourself known to the PTA team setting up!!  Contact:  Lisa Moor 027 488 0007 or Angela Smith 021 299 2771

Cross Country Day:  Wednesday 17 August

The children have been working very hard preparing for this great day and the PTA will be there too.  Many people are working together for the different PTA responsibilities of the day, but to keep things simple the point of contact is Christine Miller:  027 672 4910 (text)

•Transport of the BBQ and tables is needed before and after the event.  If you have a vehicle that could accomodate this delivery please contact Christine.

•Sausage Sizzle:  Rooms 4, 9 & 10 parent helpers are needed.  The cost is $1.00 per sausage.  If you will be at Liston Park you can pay for your child there.  If not, the children can pre-pay in their classroom.  Yes, adults can purchase sausages too.

•Cupcake Sale: Rooms 1,2,3, & 8 baking is needed.  You can either drop your contribution off in the Parish hall before school, or bring it straight to Liston Park if you are going there in the morning. Please put your baking on a disposable plate, or a plate labelled with your name. Also, if you are able to help with the selling for all or some of the time, please let Christine know.

•Coffee Guy:  Back by popular demand!!  A reminder that it is cash only!!

•Raffle:  Ellerslie Pharmacy and Farro’s have graciously donated gift baskets. Tickets will be on Sale.

*All profits from these efforts will go towards needs at St Mary’s School!!

Parent Bingo Night:  Friday 26 August – 7:30pm

Venue: St Mark's Church Parish Hall, Remuera Rd. (this is the white church near Newmarket)

?The annual St Mary's Bingo night is on again! Come along to a fun and friendly parents' night out, have a few drinks, meet other parents,  and play a few rounds of Bingo!

?Bring your own wine or beverage, and a small plate for the table.

?Cost: entry is free, buy bingo cards and "dobbers" at the venue. ($1 and $2)

?If you would like to book a table for 8 or 10 of you and your friends, email Christine Miller  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or just turn up on the night and join the fun!!

Parish Food Festival:  Sunday 28 August:  after 9:00am Sunday Mass

This is always a fantastic event celebrating the different cultures in our Parish and School community and is enjoyed by everyone who attends! Once again there is going to be a “Kiwi” stand at the Food Festival which is being organised by Nicola Beuth. This is a baking stand which is always very popular and is run by and contributed to by the school community.  If you are not already involved in the Festival, we would be grateful if you could contribute some baking, fudge or similar for this stand.  Please drop it to the Hall before Mass on the day or telephone Nicola on 525 1413 or Julie on 580 0958 to arrange drop off or if you can help on the day.

Annual School Disco: Friday 2 September:  after 9:00am Sunday Mass

A Fun evening for everyone!!!  A separate Junior (years 0 – 2) and Senior (years 3 -6) disco will be held in the Parish Hall. Helpers will be required on the night.  If you can help out please contact the PTA on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Parish Cup of Tea:  Sunday 4 September:  after 9:00am Sunday Mass

Father’s Day A wonderful morning for the St Marys School to treat the Dads of the Parish!!  The PTA is hosting this morning tea and lots of helpers and bakers are needed.  Setup, Serving and Cleanup crews are needed.  Coordinator is Julie Vidovich on 580 0958.

Ellerslie Santa Parade:  Sunday 4 December:  A favorite event for the Children

A coordinator is needed for this event, so if this meaningful community event spikes your interest please contact the PTA on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Parent helpers will be needed the day of the parade!

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

SPCA Cupcake Day:  Monday 29 September Room 4 is selling cupcake to raise money for the SPCA.  Cost is $1.00 per cupcake.

School Crossing Guards: The school is looking for a few more parents to assist with the school cross walk monitoring prior to school.  Do you have a morning available?  If so, please contact the school office.

New Fundraising Event coming in Term 4 (Specific Date TBD):  “Girls Night Out” A night of pampering and learning the latest styling and fashion advice.  This event is being oranised by Sarah Davies.  To see what it is all about Sarah has an extra ticket ($45) for a similar event being held next Wednesday evening, 17 August.  If you would like to attend with Sarah please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

A community Event:  Ellerslie Community – It’s your turn to shine and help us put a sparkle game face on our city for Rugby World Cup – Ellerslie Town Tidy Up:  Sunday, 28 August 1:00p -4:00p.  Meet at the Fountail.  For More Info:  Sally Eustace @ Ellerslie Business Assocation 579-5033 or Denise Krum @ Tableside Trust 580-4047. (Equipment provided but wear old shoes.  Children must be supervised by an adult)

Wishing you a Safe and Peaceful Weekend!

Your PTA Team

St Mary's PTA

Present:
Jackie Hinchcliff, Ruth Peterson, Christine Miller, Nicole Tofaeono, Roshan Robinson, Angela Smith, Sarah Davies, Jackie Grimes, Lee Rogers, Raewyn Mingers, Lisa Moor, Helen Turnock.

Apologies:
Jennifer Fewtrell, Julie Vidovich, Nicola Beuth, Megan Gollings, Shona Shanks, Sharron Alexandra, James Willoughby

Last month’s Minutes approved by all.

New Event Proposal: "Styling Evening / Girls Night Out" - Sarah Davies.
A fun informative evening with stylists from Ellerslie Hairdressers, makeup artists and clothing stylists.  PTA agreed it was a good idea and approval has been gained from Mrs. Cowan.  Looking at doing at the school hall, early in term 4.  Cost $25 a ticket / bring a plate.  Raewyn looking at sourcing Wine from her work.  More details to be sorted.

Christmas Heirloom Evening:
An evening at The Christmas Heirloom Shop, with decorating tips and ideas.  Look into whether a percentage of sales are given to PTA.  Everyone agreed a great idea.

Reports:
Treasurers - Roshan Robinson:  Bank account in good condition, trying to build up for Shade Sails.
Parent Rep - Christine Miller :  Still trying to build the email database, suggestions were made that permission for the PTA be added to the enrolment forms.
BOT Report - Nicole Tofaeono:  Looking at issues with the car park and the school bus.
PPC Report - Julie Vidovich:  Jackie reporting for Julie, upcoming events Parish Food Festival and Parish Cup of Tea 4th September.
Caring Committee Report - Helen Turnock

Second Hand Uniform Sale:  A big thanks to Ruth Peterson for a very successful sale.  Approximately, $542 was raised.

Grandparents Day - 15th August:
Lisa, Angela and perhaps Megan to co-ordinate.  Christine to put some rooms through the parent rep system on providing a plate.  Jackie to look into milk/tea/coffee.

Cross Country Day - 17th August:
No power now at Liston Park, Angela has kindly offered her oven for the sausages across the road.
Christine to talk to Trish Godden about co-coordinating things for the sausage sizzle.
Looking for volunteers to help with the sausage sizzle, Raewyn volunteered Roger.  Looking at asking other Dads too or other volunteers.
Raewyn to buy disposable roast trays.
Angela has volunteered her bbq.
We need someone to transport the PTA bbq and trestle tables to Liston Park.
Lisa offered to help.
Nicole offered to help / bake sale.  Christine will allocate classes to provide baking for the sale.
Christine to order iceblocks.  Roshan and Angela bringing chilly bins, may need a couple more for the sausages.
Christine has organised a pamper hamper to raffle, Roshan said she would sell tickets.
Coffee:  Jackie to ask Julie if she can get the coffee guy to come.

Parent Bingo Night - 26th August:
Christine Miller, hall at St Marks booked, donated by the Sullivans.  Caller for the night is Mark Sullivan.  Christine needs someone to help on Friday afternoon to set up.  Still sorting prizes.  Posters advertising the event to be organised and a notice sent out.

Parish Food Festival - 28th August:
Nicole and Julie organising, they need food donations, a notice to be sent out.

Disco - 2 Sept: Shona Shanks
Disco Committee is meeting tomorrow night.  Further details to follow.  Raewyn mentioned how important it was to secure people for clean up as they have been scarce in the past.

Parish Cup of Tea - 4th September
Co-coordinator Julie, looking for help with setup/serving and clean up and baking.

Santa Parade - 4 December
A co-coordinator is needed for this.

Crossing Guards:
More volunteers needed to help with this, notice to go out.

Community Event:  Ellerslie Town Clean up - 28th August, a general notice about this to go out.

Church Cleaning Roster:
Christine looking at with the parent rep system, looks like we may need parents to help in September.

Fundraising Needs:
Shade Sails
Gazebo
PA System, this is still in discussion, definitely looking at 2 x microphones at this stage.

Next Meeting - 26th September

Hi Everyone

We had a very busy PTA meeting Monday night.  I will be sending out a full Newsletter by the end of the week, but I wanted to get some information out sooner regarding some immediate events!!

I will list some information below and if you are able to assist or have any questions just respond to this e-mail and I will answer on Wednesday night.  (I am unable to access this email during the workday.)  During the day I can be reached on my mobile by calling or texting 0225 400 600.

1.  Grandparents Day:  15 August

-- PTA is organising Morning Tea after the 9:15am Mass.  Baking needs are being organised by Rooms 11, 12 and 13.  If you are able to assist on that morning, please let me know.

2.  Cross Country Day:  17 August

-- PTA is organising the Sausage Sizzle and Bake Sale which we will need volunteers.  Please let me know if you can assist and I will put you in touch with the person who is coordinating that area!!

3.  A New Fundraising Event is being planned for early Term 4 called "Girls Night Out".  It will be a fun evening where  Hair stylists, makeup artists and clothing stylists will offer demonstrations and fun tips.  Sarah Davies is coordinating this event.  Does this sound like fun?  Westmere School is having a similar event next Wednesday evening and Sarah has an extra ticket (cost is $45).  If you are interested in attending with Sarah and seeing how it is done, please contact me and I will put you in touch with Sarah.

Once again a full Newsletter is in the works, but I just wanted to get out this intermediate communication as it is a busy August @ St Marys.

Kind Regards

Jackie Hinchcliff
0225 400 600

PTA NEWS – JUNE 2011

The start of Term 2 was a busy fundraising time for us with both the Entertainment Books and Fact-a-thon.  Thanks to everyone who contributed to either or both of these, your help in raising funds for the school is very much appreciated.

FACT-A-THON
This raised over $4,700.00.  What a fantastic effort!!  Thanks to parents for and teachers for their support throughout this fundraiser and a huge WELL DONE to all of the children who did such a wonderful job learning their facts and getting friends and family to sponsor them.  A big thank you to Nicola Beuth for organising the Fact-a-thon.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS
This has once again been a very successful fundraiser for us with over 120 books sold earning our school in excess of $1,600.00!  Thanks to everyone who bought a book, sold books to family, friends and work colleagues or gave a donation, it is very much appreciated.    A huge thanks to Angela Smith (and her ever reliable assistant/daughter Holly) for taking on this huge task and doing such a fantastic job.  We really appreciate the effort you have put into this.

SAUSAGE SIZZLE
Thanks to the parents of Rooms 1 and 6 for organising the last sausage sizzle.
Our apologies to the Junior School for having a clash of dates .  Unfortunately parental help had already been organised before we were aware of the Junior School trip.  We hope that the compromise of keeping the sausages warm in the oven worked and thanks to the teachers for organising this.

CHAIRPERSON
Thanks to Jackie Hinchcliff who has offered to step in as Chairperson from Term 3 for Julie who has to stand down due to work and family reasons.  Julie and the PTA will support Jackie in all ways possible to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible.

YUMMY APPLES
Start collecting your Yummy Apple stickers.  These can be found on apples and other fruit, details of where you can find Yummy products can be found on the website – www.yummyfruit.co.nz.  Charts to collect stickers on can also be downloaded from there.  The more stickers we get gives the school more “Yummy” points which can then be turned into vouchers for new sporting equipment at the end of the promotion. Completed forms can be returned to school.

SOME PARISH EVENTS TO NOTE IN YOUR DIARY
Parish Pot Luck Dinner – Saturday, 2nd July after 5.30pm Mass.  BYO drinks and plate of food to share.
Parish International Food Festival – Sunday, 28th August after the 9.30am Mass.  If you are able to help with your Communities stall or would like more information, please contact Jo Brown ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or Julie Vidovich ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).  All funds raised from the Food Festival will go to Christchurch.

Julie, Jackie, Christine & the PTA