Term 2 Week 4 18 May 2023 Newsletter #07
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Tena Koutou Katoa Talofa Lava Kamusta Malo e lelei, Mauri Malo ni Faka talofa atu Namaste Greetings to all
The last few weeks have been eventful, especially with last week’s flooding, and I just wanted to acknowledge the parent community and staff of St Joseph’s school, that when adversity strikes, we can come together as a community to prioritise the wellbeing and safety of our tamariki. It does also highlight the importance of making sure you have access to the most recent update of the Skool Loop app and/or have joined our St Joseph’s School Pukekohe – PTA & Friends facebook page. These two platforms are the quickest way for us to inform the school community of any updates on events at school, so please make sure to enable notifications to ensure you are up to date with information.
We had three of our groups performing at the Franklin Cultural Festival this past weekend; our Pasifika boys, Pasifika girls and Kapa Haka groups all took to the stage to represent St Joseph’s. We have quite a few students in our school participating in these groups that come from a range of diverse cultural backgrounds. Taking the time to learn about another culture helps our students learn early the importance of respecting other people’s beliefs and practices. It also helps our children to understand cultural diversity and to better get along with others as they celebrate their differences. I am so proud of all the children who commit to these groups and thank the parents for coming along to support them at these weekend events.
This week I am attending the Learning Environments Australasia Conference that is taking place in the very chilly Christchurch. I am presenting here as part of the Mayfield Project group of professionals who have spent the last few months exploring what JEDI outcomes of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion look like in the design of learning spaces within education. Working with individuals across Australia, Malaysia and New Zealand has given me even more appreciation for the inclusive nature of our school, and the inherent respect and value we place on the diversity and uniqueness that every child brings to our school.
I am also very excited to share that Miss Farrell has given birth to a beautiful, healthy baby boy. Owen Matthew was born on Monday 15 May. We wish Claudia and Mick all the very best as they begin their journey as new parents.
Enjoy your week ahead and we look forward to seeing you all at the school-assisted mass on Sunday, May 28th where we celebrate Pentecost, the conclusion of the Easter season and celebrate the beginning of the Church’s mission to the world.
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Term 2 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
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Special Catholic Character
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VALUES AWARD RECIPIENTS
Juan Taylor – Arahi: Showing leadership and care for others by sharing your knowledge and leading a wonderful Religious Education assignment.
Isaac Galang – Aroha: Showing love and care for others by stepping in to help a friend who was unsure.
Hopapi Mamatuki – Arahi: For the way you have stepped up and lead both the Pasifika and Kapa Haka Groups, showing pride and respect for both cultures.
St. Pat’s Kids Choir
Our Upcoming Practices: Thursday 18 May at 3pm, Friday 2nd June at 3pm, Thursday 8th June at 3pm . WE WILL SING SUNDAY 11 JUNE at 5pm MASS
Arahi Assembly Liturgy
Our Year 7 / 8 Students lead us in an assembly about the workings of the Holy Spirit. They used the green screen to make videos of current events news updates, showing the Holy Spirit in action in our world today. Tino pai!
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The board of trustees would like to extend our thanks and best wishes to Bridget Hartland as she takes up her new role at St Ignatius of Loyola College.
Thank you also to our community for your cooperation in collecting students from school on Tuesday during the orange level weather alert.
Regarding the caving incident in Whangarei last week, please be reassured that we take the health and safety of your children very seriously. There are robust systems in place so that your children can safely enjoy trips and other experiences as part of their education outside the classroom. If you would like to read through our current Education Outside the Classroom policies up for review, please follow the links below.
Nicola Hewitt St Josephs Board Secretary
SchoolDocs: Time to review our EOTC policies and procedures.
Parents can view our school policies and procedures online by visiting the schooldocs website. SchoolDocs updates, modifies, or creates policies in response to changes in legislation or Ministry guidelines, significant events, reviews/requests from schools, and regular reviewing from the SchoolDocs team. To review:
- 1. Visit the website https://stjosephspukekohe.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm
- Enter the username (stjosephspukekohe) and password (mission).
- Select the Parents and Whanāu section on your SchoolDocs site
If you don’t have internet access, school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.
If you would like to contact the Board directly at any time, please do so through our new email address schoolboard@stjosephs.co.nz
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It’s That Time of Year Again: With the colder weather months comes an increase in the number of both staff and students who are unwell. We have already noticed a spike in the number of tummy bugs, flu symptoms and cases of Covid. Please keep your children at home if they are unwell, Covid test them, and please inform the school if they test positive.
Classroom Help: Please contact Mrs Wilcox if you (parents/grandparents) are able to come in to our new entrant classroom to help listen to children read and play learning games to help support their learning and independent skills.
joannaw@stjosephs.co.nz
 
School Centennial 8-9 September
Please register on www.stjosephscentenary.co.nz Registration does not commit you to attending an event. We do need numbers for organisation purposes. Thank you.
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A big congratulations to Renzo Johnston, who was awarded 
Auckland’s Athlete of the Year for U9’s. What a huge
achievement, we are very proud of his efforts!
Pink Shirt Day 2023 : St Joseph’s is joining the movement on Pink Shirt Day (Friday 19 May 2023), and encouraging our staff and students to Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Speak up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying! Pink Shirt Day works to reduce bullying by celebrating diversity in all its forms and supporting schools, workplaces and communities to be safe, supportive, welcoming and inclusive for everyone. We’ll also be fundraising to support Pink Shirt Day by bringing a gold coin donation to wear our Pink (or shades of Pink) mufti clothes.
Franklin Cultural Festival: Both our Pasifika Boys and Girls groups and Kapa Haka performed with dignity, mana and aroha at last Saturday’s Franklin Multicultural Festival. Our costumes looked great and the students represented St Joseph’s very well. We are very proud of all of you. Thank you very much to the group of parents who helped get the children into their costumes and make-up. Without you, these types of groups can’t happen. A huge shout-out to Whaea Shellee, for your support with Kapa Haka. We are learning so much from you and the children appreciate the mahi and aroha you put in.
AKO 1 News: Ako Tahi had a fantastic day at the Franklin Year 3 & 4 Football Tournament. For many of the students this was their first time representing the school at a sports day. They all played their best and made us proud with their positive attitudes. Father Robert was a welcome visitor when he stopped by Ako 1.The children were eager to explain to him what they had been learning about fractions.
AKO 2 NEWS: We have been busy with our speech-writing, RE Holy Spirit learning, Fractions and Concept learning. Here are some photos of our afternoon concept / STEAM rotations, in which we are doing music lessons, baking and toy technology.
Arahi News: Another busy fortnight in Arahi. The children have been busily writing their speeches in preparation to present them next week. Please make sure to ask them about it and even get them to present them to you at home. The more they practise, the more confident they will be to present in class. We had maths testing this week, and we are really proud of the results. Our maths programme is working really well and we are seeing great progress. Again, ask your children about what they are learning (fractions) and get them to show you their work. When children know their whānau are connected with their learning they will be more motivated to work hard.
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Please support our Fun Fair sponsors – they support us!
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