Hello all,

This week is a busy one for me as it includes a couple of days out of the classroom.  On Thursday I will be attending a First Aid course and Friday is my release day.

HELP!!!  Room 5 needs two parent volunteers to be 'Friends of the School'.  Each classroom at St Gerard's will have 2 parents representing the children and families in their class, and will act as a liaison for the PTA (you will not be a PTA member, just help out with contacting parents etc when help is needed).  Signing up for help does not mean you have to be a life member, we are only asking that if you can help you will let us know.  We are all busy people and many hands make light work.

The meeting for being a friend will be held in the staffroom TOMORROW NIGHT at 7pm.  Alternatively if you can't make the meeting but are keen to put up your hand you can email Sue Brydges at sue@homeclinic.co.nz

St Patrick's Day Mufti Day Lenten Appeal  On Thursday this week the children will be able to dress in GREEN mufti.  Please bring along a gold coin to be donated to Caritas who this year are supporting children in Cambodia as a part of their Lenten Appeal.  

Thursday is also Sausage Sizzle day so be sure to bring an extra $2 for that.

PTA AGM will be Wednesday 16th March  - I am fairly sure the location for this is in the staffroom - correct me if I am wrong PTA parents.

CAMP NEWS - We have 46 bikes in total to transport during the driving journey's of our Rail Trail camp.  At this stage we have a 30 rack bike trailer from the awesome team at Trail Journeys and we have a couple of other trailer offers (for baggage and food) which I will be making use of.  We will be taking 6 vehicles to camp with 3 towing trailers and the other 3 carrying a rack with 4 bikes - those of you who offered the use of a 4 bike rack I am taking you up on the offer.  Thanks so much for this people - I am getting excited to get out on the trail with the kids!  

Please be sure to get your children out riding as much as possible over the next few weeks.  Every bit of cycling fitness helps.

A reminder to keep Frans du Plessis and his family in your prayers.  With Frans and Nadia in Christchurch it can be a long week at home here in Central for Nia and her Dad.  The Room 5 kids are doing a great job at supporting Nia while she is in class.  I want to say a big thank you to those parents who encourage their children to help Nia out when they can.  

Have a great week.  

Mrs Lyon