Term 1 Week 7 Newsletter #04

Term 1 Week 7                                15 March 2023                                     Newsletter# 04

Principal’s Message

Tena Koutou Katoa  Talofa Lava   Kamusta   Malo e lelei,  Mauri   Malo ni   Faka talofa atu  Namaste  Greetings to all

Thank you to our wonderful school and parish community who supported our Fun Fair last Saturday. It was a great success raising over $19,000 towards our junior playground improvements. Every family who contributed, whether with baking or items for our amazing raffles, played a part in making the day such a success. The weather was perfect and the atmosphere was humming. Our Kapa Haka and Pasifika performances were well received. Of course, our special thanks go to Jenni Logan, PTA Fair Coordinator, and her team, especially Kelly McArthur, Renee Farrell and Nicola Hewitt, who put so many hours into the organisation. Blessings to you.

As you know tomorrow, Thursday is a New Zealand-wide strike for primary teachers and primary principals, as well as other educators. St Joseph’s School is closed for instruction and supervision. No one wants a strike but our needs are not being considered in a fair and acceptable way. The situation should have been resolved before getting to this point. Striking is a last resort to highlight that teachers are not happy. We should not have to go into dispute for our rights every three years. Not only does the pay component of the offer not meet the cost of living increases, but the offer also does little to address serious issues around funding and understaffing. Basically, primary schools are not resourced well enough.  We all want the best for our students but without changes to the system, we can’t give it to them. The bigger picture is that if we are to retain and attract quality educators, we must improve work conditions in schools. This affects our children because teachers’ working conditions are children’s learning conditions. I am sure you are aware St Joseph’s teachers are 100%+ committed to the well-being and education of our children.

We’re back on Friday to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and our school feast day for St Joseph by having our tabloid sports in the afternoon. This is a fun day for our students with every child participating. It’s another opportunity for our Year 8 student leaders to shine. It’s a day children remember fondly; particularly as our PTA provide them with iceblocks at the end of the day. Special thanks to our Aroha teachers for organising this event. 

On Sunday, it will be great to see you bring your families to our School Assisted Mass at 10:00 am in St Patrick’s Church. Our School Assisted Masses are so important to our children as we encourage them on their Catholic faith journey. Our DRS, Mrs Mairead Gallagher, tries to provide lots of opportunities for our children to be fully involved in different parts of the Mass and it is a great celebration for our school and parish community. Come along and feel the Spirit of our special character school.

Thank you all for the many ways you support our school.

Stay safe and God bless.

St Joseph – March 19

Saint Joseph, pray for us. Spouse of the Mother of God,  pray for us. 

Foster-father of the Son of God, pray for us. 

Head of the Holy Family, pray for us. 

Joseph most just, pray for us. 

Joseph most obedient, pray for us. 

Joseph most faithful, pray for us. 

Model of workmen, pray for us. 

Glory of domestic life, pray for us. 

Pillar of families, pray for us. 

Protector of Holy Church, pray for us. 

Patron of our school, pray for us.

KEY DATES

          TERM 1 KEY DATES

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

St Patrick’s Sacramental Programme

For baptised students in Y4-8 wanting to make their 
First Communion and Confirmation.
This will start after the Easter holiday break at the start of Term 2.
The sessions will be held on Sunday afternoon. 
Enrolment forms are available from St Joseph’s School office or the Parish Office.

Values Awards
Hana Aiavao – Ako: For showing dedication to improving her learning and being a role model to others.
Jemimah Rwothomio – Aroha & Arahi: For showing empathy and a strong desire to help those in need. She is also a great leader, giving service to her Church and school.
Sawyer Mravicich – Aroha: For showing big heart in donating money that he earned for the Caritas donations. 
William Klavenes – Arahi: For being of service to our class and school by offering to help whenever anything needs to be completed. William also notices when something needs to be done and just gets on and does it.

School-Assisted Mass: We look forward to seeing whanau on Sunday for our Mass celebrating our School Feast Day (St Joseph’s Day) and our Parish Feast Day (St. Patrick’s Day). Tamariki are to wear their school uniform and to sit by the organ. We encourage whanau to bring an item for the Parish Food Bank as part of Lenten almsgiving. There will be baskets in the foyer.

School Board

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

School Notices

Tabloid Sports: This Friday we are celebrating St Joseph’s Day and holding our annual Tabloid Sports. This is a wonderful opportunity for all our tamariki from Year 1 to Year 8 to be involved in 8 tabloid activities. Each team receives house points which go towards our Tabloid Sport Trophy at the end of year prizegiving. Students from Year 1 – 6 can wear house colour mufti to school and Year 7 and 8 come to school in their uniform and get changed at school into house colours (they are attending Mass and a retreat that morning). Please ensure your child has a hat and drink bottle with them at school on this day. Parents and whanau are welcome to come along and watch and support our students. We aim to start at 12:40pm and will assemble on the top field.

2023 Parent/Child/Teacher Goal-Setting Conferences:  Your child’s Interim reports will be going home Monday March 27th, with your child. We ensure that every parent is met to discuss your child’s interim report and to set goals for the remainder of the year so please take this opportunity to meet with your child’s kaitiaki/teacher.

We have scheduled our interview evenings for Thursday March 30th from 3-8pm and Tuesday April 4th from 3-5pm. Bookings will open this Tuesday March 21st beginning at 3pm using the same system as last year; by logging in to the website  https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/ where you will be able to book a time and date that suits. This year we give you the option of booking to attend a conference In-Person, or via Video Conference using  Zoom. Either way, we ask that your child be in attendance.

To book your appointment please sign in to www.schoolinterviews.co.nz and click on Make a Booking.

The booking code for our school will be bz7zm (case sensitive) and you will be able to make multiple bookings if you have more than one child at the school. Follow the instructions to choose a date and time that suits. 

If you have any difficulties please contact the school office.  We will also have a kiosk available in the school office for us to make a booking on your behalf  if you do not have access to the internet at home.

If you have not made a booking using our online portal www.schoolinterviews.co.nz by Wednesday  March 29th, then a time slot will be allocated to you by your child’s kaitiaki/teacher and sent home on Thursday. If the allocated dates/times do not suit you, please contact your child’s kaitiaki to set up an alternative time to meet.

Year 7 & 8 Winter Camp Fundraising

• Sausage Sizzle on Friday 17 March before we begin tabloid sports. Thank you for supporting our fundraising efforts. 
• Easter Raffle – be on the lookout next week for advertisement about our annual Easter Raffle.
• Hot Cross Buns -next week we’ll have information on where to buy your hot cross buns that will support our school camp.  
• Dominos Pizza Night – Mark WEDNESDAY 14 JUNE in your calendars for a family pizza night. For every pizza purchased on this night a percentage will go towards our school camp. 

Staying Safe on Social Media: A nation-wide campaign to raise awareness of how everyone can stay safe on our Catholic social media platforms starts next Monday, 20 March. Check our Facebook, Instagram and other social media each day from Monday for tips on how to keep yourself safe.  Details of the campaign are here: https://www.catholic.org.nz/news/media-releases/socialmedia-safety/

Winter Uniform: From the beginning of Term 2  all students are expected to be in winter uniforms. 

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.

Boys: Grey shorts (heavy weight)
Grey Polo shirt with logo, long or short sleeved.
Grey knee length socks and black leather/waterproof school shoes.

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. 

Scholastic book club: Issue 2 out today orders due back in on Monday 20th March. Thank you.

Roadworks Commencing: This week roadworks to improve our pedestrian crossing are starting on Seddon Street. This is a much needed project but it is going to cause us disruption for up to 8 weeks – realistically the rest of this school term. 

Over this time, traffic (and pedestrians) on Seddon Street will be managed by road control and the front of our school will not be accessible for drop offs, pickups or parking.  There will be a temporary crossing available, however, if you wish to park you will need to do so further away from the school – 

There is no parking in the school car park – Staff only We suggest that over this time, for the safety of our students, parents use our Dublin Street entrances to drop off and pick up their children. We will know more as this project begins.

AKO 1 Writing
Ako 1 have written some great pieces of persuasive writing. 

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE DUES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Financial assistance is available to assist families who may need financial support with the payment of Attendance Dues for preference students attending both primary and secondary Catholic schools in Auckland Diocese. 
Families facing financial difficulties can contact their school office, their Parish Priest, or Auckland Common Fund Ltd at the Catholic Diocese of Auckland on 09-360-3069 for further information.
Application forms for this assistance are available from school and parish offices,
or can be downloaded from the Catholic Diocese of Auckland Website:

https://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/catholic-schools-2/

School Events 

ST JOSEPH’S FUN FAIR 2023

Community Notices

CONGRATULATIONS on participating in Fulton Swim School Lessons  
We loved the opportunity to teach you the life skill of swimming and
how to be safer in the water.
If you would like to continue with lessons please book online at www.fultonswimschool.co.nz  
We will be giving away a FREE Month of Lessons to 2 lucky St. Joseph’s School Students that book in for lessons with us.  Simply book in, and bring this newsletter in with you at your first lesson and we will place you in the draw 🙂

Kudu Koor – Kudu Choir
South African/African singing group to perform at the Puni School Multi-Culture Festival (13 May 2023).  It will be a sing-a-long performance featuring foot stomping, clapping and general noise generation rather than a formal choir.  It’s just for fun.

All singing abilities, nationalities and school aged children welcome.  

Rehearsals at Puni School Hall on Monday’s 5pm – 6:30pm. 24 April, 1 May, 8 May and (possibly Friday 12 May)

Parent help welcome!  Especially people who play instruments or are knowledgeable/ experienced in choirs. Please get in touch. Free!  Register your child’s interest via link:  https://form.jotform.com/suzettevandorsser/Kudu  (put link in browser and fill in) or email suzettevandorsser@gmail.com.

 ‘Young at Art’ offer Children’s, Teens & Adult Art classes in Pukekohe.  Our Autumn Holiday workshops are open for booking.  These holidays we are offering Papier Mache, Acrylic & Watercolour Painting, Tie Dye and other techniques, Mixed Media and Sun Painting workshops, Term 2 ART ADVENTURES after school classes are open for booking in groups for children aged 6-9yrs, 9-12yrs and 13yrs+ on Monday’s, Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s. If there is no space in your chosen class, please email Anna to join the waiting list we often have an odd spot come up at the beginning of term. Adult workshops include a family Watercolour the day before mothers day, Resin Art & Resin Cheeseboards . For more information or to book please check out:   http://www.youngatart.co.nz/ / email: admin@youngatart.co.nz.  Bookings are essential as places are limited’.

Credit Controller & Administration – Pompallier Centre
This full time role is to provide credit control and administration support to the Operations Manager for the collection of Attendance Dues for schools in the Auckland Diocese.  Hours are flexible to incorporate some evening and Saturday morning work.
Key Tasks include: Collection of compulsory school Attendance Dues; contact with school parents via outbound phone calls; follow up of unpaid accounts and Debtor ledger management.
To view the full advert and to apply, please visit our website www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz under Diocesan Services and Staff Vacancies.

Receptionist/Administrator – Catholic Social Services, Ponsonby.
Catholic Social Services is looking for a part-time (3 days) Receptionist/Administrator based in Ponsonby.  As a faith-based professional service Catholic Social Services provides social work, counselling, out-reach and support to individual people and families.
The successful applicant would be required to provide efficient, effective, and professional reception and administrative services to the team at Catholic Social Services.
For further details please go to our website www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz, staff vacancies.

Please support our Fun Fair sponsors – they support us!