Term 1 Week 11 Newsletter #06

Term1 Week 11                                    14 April 2022                                       Newsletter#06

Principal’s Message

Tena Koutou Katoa    Talofa Lava    Kamusta    Malo el lelei    Mauri    Hello Everyone

We are now ending our 11th week of term and everyone seems to be ready for a break. A special break that includes our Easter and Anzac holidays. I hope you are able to enjoy them with your families.

We are now in Holy Week and Y3&4 Ako 1 presented our Palm Sunday liturgy to the school on Monday. Today the Stations of the Cross were reenacted by our Y7&8 Arahi students. Both of these liturgies remind us of the real reason we celebrate Easter. Today, Holy Thursday is the beginning of the Easter Triduum; the three remarkable occasions that we remember this weekend: Thursday’s Last Supper, Friday’s Crucifixion, and Sunday’s Ressurection. These stories of Easter are the foundation of our Catholic faith. On Saturday, the parish Vigil Mass will be held outside at school in front of the hall deck. Father Robert has asked to have the Vigil Mass at school so that you all can attend. It will start at 7:30 pm and it may be cold so dress warmly. The new Paschal candle is the first candle to be lit and the light is passed through the congregation. This represents the risen Christ, as a symbol of light (life) dispelling darkness (death). Everyone is welcome.

This week we have had several staff away and we have been grateful to have such a reliable bank of relievers who support our school and know our children so well. We are hoping to start next term with everyone back at school and that the term is more settled.

Yesterday we found out we are moving into Covid Orange Levels. There seems little difference between our current Red conditions and Orange at schools. In Term 2 we are going to try to get back to our usual school day routine with two 40 minute breaks each day and short fresh-air breaks between. Besides vaccination, ventilation and mask-wearing are our best defence against Covid. We understand that leaving some windows open 5cm during the winter will be enough to keep fresh air flowing through the classroom spaces. The MOE has provided the school with a CO2 monitor that we can use to ensure that our children are learning in the right conditions and fresh-air breaks will support this. 

We strongly encourage our Year 4-8 children to continue to wear face masks when indoors and face masks will be needed when we assemble as a whole school in the hall. Adults will be asked to wear masks inside also. Parents are able to come on-site but we still ask that you do not enter the classrooms unless you are invited to do so – we are trying to minimise the risk for our students and teachers. Parents will be able to come into reception, however, please ring ahead if you are inquiring about second-hand uniforms. 

Wishing you and your family a happy and holy Easter weekend and safe holidays.

Looking forward to seeing everyone back to begin Term 2 on Monday 2 May.

Stay safe and God bless.
Ngā mihi nui

Ursula Hall
Principal – Tumuaki

KEY DATES

     KEY DATES  TERM 1

Please note these dates are subject to change For further dates see calendars on the Skool Loop app or at: www.stjosephs.co.nz

Special Catholic Character

Mass

Ako 2 attended their first Mass in person for the year. It was a lovely reverant and reflective Mass. Well done to all of our readers and assistants for your part in our Mass. We are proud of you all Ako 2 for the way you represented our school. Well done!

Holy Week

Thank you to Ako 1 and their ākonga for leading our Palm Sunday Liturgy on Monday afternoon. Our Ārahi students in Year 7 / 8 worked hard to prepare the Stations of the Cross Liturgy. Despite the changes due to forecasted weather and staffing they presented a very moving and reverent Stations of the Cross pilgrimage today. Special thanks to all of the teachers for helping each other out and stepping in to make these events happen for our students. This week our staffing was affected by illness and the remaining teachers have supported one another to ensure that the students did not miss out. St Joseph’s is truly a wonderful place to work. 

BAPTISM FOR OVER 8s at St Patrick’s Parish!

Father Robert warmly invites you to register your older children in the “Over 8’s” Baptismal Programme starting next term. Please contact the parish office to register your interest. I’m sure he would also like to hear from anyone else who is considering Baptism for their child too. Spread the word! 

Phone 09 2386641 or email office@pukekohecatholic.org.nz 

As we finish our Lenten journey of sacrifice and reflect on the suffering of Jesus on the cross, we are also reminded of our own suffering; the crosses we all bear in life. There are times of light and times of darkness which we all face. We can draw comfort and strength from Jesus in those darker times of suffering. We also thank God for those happier, more hopeful times of light, especially as we begin our Easter season next week. Have a blessed weekend and holiday break with your whānau.

School Board News

The Board recently signed off plans for some improvements to the area under the shade sail / by the pool that will present a more robust and usable space for the students to enjoy.  This work is scheduled to be undertaken during the holidays between Terms 2 and 3.  This project would not have been possible without the generous support of the PTA and the St Joseph’s Development Trust.  We are very grateful for their ongoing support of the school.  

We are also continuing negotiations about the redesign of our front entrance on Seddon Street.  This is an Essential Property Maintenance Package (EPMP) project funded by the Diocese. This is ongoing and we hope to have plans to share with the community very soon.   

Have a very safe and enjoyable easter / Holiday break.  Thanks to all our students and staff for their diligent efforts during this term.  Here’s hoping next term and beyond is settled and free from any disruption.

Simon Dykes – Presiding Member If you would like to contact the Board directly at any time, please do so through bot@stjosephs.co.nz

School Notices

Winter Uniform Term 2 & 3

A reminder that we are in our winter uniform from the beginning of Term 2

Girls: Green tartan pinafore/skirt. Years 0-4 wear a pinafore, Year 5-8 girls wear a skirt at least knee length which is  the same material as the pinafore. White Blouse – Year 0- 4 girls wear a white winter weight school blouse and Year 5–8 girls wear a white school blouse which is a short sleeved blouse with a split hem.  White ankle or knee-high socks and black leather/waterproof school shoes – no coloured     stitching/logos etc

Boys:   Grey shorts (heavy weight) , Grey Polo shirt with logo, long or short sleeved.  Grey knee length socks and  black leather/waterproof school shoes – no coloured stitching/logos etc

School Jersey/Polar Fleece: for boys and girls.  This is a regulation green woollen jersey/or polar fleece.

Polar Fleece Vest: Boys and girls may wear the school green polar fleece vest as an optional extra.  

School Beanie: Terms 2 & 3 only.  Please note no other type of beanie or winter hat should be worn. 

Optional: Green ‘Stormdri’ Jacket with school logo. It is for outdoor use and is not permitted to be worn in class. The secondhand  uniform shop at school will be open on Wednesday 27 April between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Items will be displayed in the school library. We will limit numbers entering the room. Please wear a mask. Ring the school or email stjoesoffice@stjosephs.co.nz to pre-order items.

St Joseph’s Catholic School Sponsorship. 

Is there anyone willing to sponsor a child’s school fees? 

We have several families that would appreciate any support with the payment of their school fees. 

Our fees are $117/term but any contribution would help. Attendance Dues are a compulsory payment and a condition of enrolment for all Catholic Schools in New Zealand. These dues are paid, by the school, directly to the Auckland Diocese to repay loans for building work and property-related costs. Our school does not retain any of these fees. If you can help please contact Ursula Hall principal@stjosephs.co.nz 

Thank you for your generosity.

School Events 

Ārahi News

We have managed to pack in quite a bit over the past two weeks. Not only have we been finishing up our learning objectives for the term, we have finished our Fulton Swimming Programme, had a local tiki-tour around the main streets of Pukekohe, participated in orienteering and prepared and performed the Stations of the Cross pilgrimage. It has been a great eleven weeks getting to reconnect with the students and already many of them are making incredible gains in their learning. The students are focused on their goals and seeing some really positive outcomes, which we have celebrated with our weekly awards. We would like to thank Mrs Sophie Hartnett and Mrs Ashley Clarke for stepping in and teaching Mission Kaitiaki, as well as the rest of the Year 7 & 8’s this term. They have both brought incredible skills and passion and have been an invaluable part of Te Roopu Ārahi this term. In term 2, we welcome back Mrs Mairead Gallagher-Pile. 

Turangawaewae Hikoi – We walked an amazing 7km around Pukekohe on Wednesday 6 April to see some of the historical and interesting sights that are right in our backyard. There are buildings that are over 100 years old as well as some amazing sporting legends that have grown up in Pukekohe. We saw where the first railway station was, that the Sisters would walk down to from the convent to get supplies. We also saw the oak tree that Euphrasie Barbier planted. Although, tiring on our feet it was very cool to see the local history come alive. 

Ako 2 News

Orienteering

Thank-you to Val Robinson for coming in and sharing your expertise in orienteering. Students in Ako Rua enjoyed being active and at the same time learning important skills such as orientating the map to north (with ground or compass), reading features on the map, following a compass bearing, pacing and judging distance. Excellent Mana was shown by all well done!  

Ako Rua’s Easter Raffle

We have had a very successful first fundraising initiative for our End of Year Camp. We have raised $1352.00!!

A massive thank you to our Ako 2 families who provided the easter prizes and our wonderful Ako 2 students who sat and sold easter raffles for 4 weeks morning and afternoon. Our Fruit Tree Raffle was a huge success too and a genuine thank you goes to Farrell’s Nursery for providing the prize and selling tickets on our behalf. 

Here are the lucky winners of the Easter Raffle with a massive 32 prizes won

Community Notices

FULTON SWIM SCHOOL HOLIDAY INTENSIVES // April 2022.  

Have you booked your child into our School Holiday Intensives yet?  Is your child hanging out for more learning time in our pool?  Do you want to give their water safety and confidence a boost?  Book your child online now for our Holiday Intensive program (select their normal class level).  Swim one week or two, the choice is yours.  Secure your space now www.fultonswimschool.co.nz

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