Term 2 Week 10 Newsletter #10

Term 2 Week  10                              29th June 2023                                     Newsletter #10

Principal’s Message

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

It is hard to believe we have reached the end of Term 2 and are already midway through the school year.

This term we have struggled with a lot of winter illness amongst staff and students and some very volatile and wet weather. Luckily we have also had a lot to celebrate too; the House Basic Facts challenge and the House Netball competition were a great success, everyone enjoyed our school Disco, and most recently our visit from some of the Franklin Bulls. Lastly, we end this term with one of our favourite events of the year; our Grandparents Day/Matariki celebrations. We start the day with a performance in our school hall starting at 11:30 am, followed by the opportunity to walk around the learning spaces and see some of the activities our children have been working on for the last term. This is followed by a shared lunch in our school hall supplied by our families and organised by our amazing PTA. The PTA is also providing the opportunity to get photos taken with your loved ones as keepsakes of the day. We end the special day with a school Mass led by our students and celebrating te reo in honour of Matariki to be held at St Patrick’s parish starting at 1:30 pm. We have heard of so many family members coming from far distances for the day and so many children have already expressed their excitement at having their various family members coming to see them at school; I am sure you can understand why this day has become so special in our school’s calendar.

Coming to the halfway point of the school year, it might be a timely reminder to our parents of students in years 6, 7 & 8 that they need to ensure their children are enrolled at their next school for 2024, as we become a Year 0-6 school in the coming year. Please notify the school office if you have not done so already so that we can have a log of where our students are moving to next year. As always, if you need any support with this, come see us in the school office.

Lastly, this is my last newsletter entry as we welcome back Mrs Ursula Hall from her sabbatical for the start of Term 3. We look forward to hearing about her adventures and the renewed energy she will bring to the school. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff working with me for making the transition to acting principal this term such a smooth one. Thank you, as well, to all the parents and students that have reached out to give their support. I am so proud of being part of such a loving school community and truly value all the people within it for making every challenge just that much easier to overcome, and this school is such a welcoming place to come to each day. 

I hope you take this term break to spend some quality time with your families and to recharge your batteries for Term 3 as there are some very exciting events planned for the term; the Yr 7&8 Camp, Ako 2 Production, St Anne’s Shield, Pasifika Week, Cultural Day, and of course, our 100 Year Centenary weekend. So much to look forward to!  

God bless

KEY DATES

 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

 

Special Catholic Character

 

Caritas Stop it! Challenge 2023

Congratulations and thank you everyone for participating in our Stop It! Challenge on Friday 16th June to raise money for Caritas. We are very proud to report that a total of $2002 was raised. Caritas have emailed to express their thanks as our school has been amazing once again! They will send us certificates and receipts promptly. We wish to give special acknowledgement to the four students who raised the most sponsorship money:

Ashton McArthur – $170

Finn O’Connor – $155

Anika Dickson – $120

Pamela Velvet-Bhana – $115

Values Awards

Lachlan Farrell: ARAHI / Leadership: for thinking ahead and always keeping the class Ipads charged without being asked.

Ivy Killian & Jemima Rwothomio AKO / LEARNING: for your excellent research skills in presenting about Church Feast Days for our recent RE Church Strand assignment.

Okusi Puamau: ARAHI – Thank you for your service in offering to help the teacher often.

Olivia Cha: ĀRAHI – for supporting and leading students in Aroha to paint our beautiful backdrop for our Oak tree.

Mika Ramoni: ARAHI- thank you for including others in the House Netball game

Ava Farrell, Charlie Vaughan, Rosalinda Emeio, Macey Donnelly: Arahi – you are always prepared to help others. Thank you for your acts of service.

Annabelle Shields: ARAHI / Leadership: for consistently taking on so many roles and responsibilities around different school initiatives.

Sawyer Mravicich, Kaiara Roberts, Pitas Baraniko, Rosalinda Emelio, Hana Aiavao, Marjiam Pena, Arjun Bal: ARAHI / Leadership. Thank you for reading a prayer in your own language so excellently at our Pentecost School-Assisted Mass.

Rupert Archer: ARAHI / Leadership. Thank you for your service in stepping up to so many roles and responsibilities at our Pentecost School-Assisted Mass.

Kahui Ako Mass

Last week on Wednesday 21st June, our Year 6 tamariki attended our South Auckland Catholic Schools’ Kahui Ako (Community of Learning ) Mass at St. Therese Parish Church in Mangere. This was a beautiful gathering of nine Catholic schools. The readings, prayers, singing and all ministries were done with excellence, representing all of our schools with pride and love for God. After Mass we enjoyed kai together and some playtime at St. Mary McKillop School.

St Pat’s Kids Choir Update

There will be NO practice for the Kids Choir this week, but they are singing this Sunday 2nd July at 10 am Mass. Practices will begin next term and the first one will be on Thursday, July 19th at 3 pm at the Church. New members are welcome to join – just email mgbobias@gmail.com  Well done choir for putting in a great term of singing and giving service to your parish.

School Board

We are pleased to inform you that the upgrades to our Seddon Street crossing are nearly done. Thank you for being so patient and mindful of safety throughout this lengthy process. Thank you also to our Tamariki and the staff for another great effort this term. Wishing you and your families a safe and relaxing term break.

Your St Joseph’s School Board:

Denis Murphy (Presiding Member), Nicola Hewitt (Board Secretary) Lori Mravicich (Acting Principal), Robin Burns (Acting Staff Representative), Father Robert Steele, Carla van Tiel, Mike Noble, Luke Kneebone, Losa Helu, Elvira Balle, and Allan Murillo.

Nicola Hewitt, Board of Trustees Secretary 

If you would like to contact the Board directly at any time, please do so through our new email address schoolboard@stjosephs.co.nz

Schoool Notices and Team Updates

Grandparent’s Day – 30th June 2023

Quick reminder to bring a plate of finger food for grandparents day. 

If your child is in…

• Aroha or Arahi– a sweet dish e.g. slices, cakes, cookies, muffins, pikelets, fruit etc
• Ako 1 or 2 – a savoury dish e.g. mini pies, sausage rolls, club sandwiches, cheese and crackers etc

Parent who have children in multiple teams can choose either option. ONE plate per family

Food must be in a container with your child’s name and their team (e.g. Ako 1, Aroha 2) so that we can return your container to you. Alternatively, a disposable plate covered with gladwrap/tin foil. 

All food can be sent to the school hall between 8:15am-9:15am

Many thanks

St Joseph’s PTA

Aroha News

We have finished off the term with a fantastic trip to the Howick Historical Village. Our students were transported back and were able to be archaeologists – digging up objects from the past. We also went to school to learn what it was like to be students in the 1800s and finally, we played some cool outdoor games such as stilt walking, skittles, chicken in the pot, pretend horse riding and plank walking (to name a few). Upon return to school, we thoroughly enjoyed writing and creating artwork to share our experiences. Thank you to our parents who supported us on the day.

 Ako 1 News

On the 15th of June, Ako 1 had a fabulous visit to the Howick Historical Village. The children got to experience what life was like before electricity. Their experiences included making butter with a churn, a school lesson and toys. We would like to thank all the parents who came on the day and helped us.

Ako 2 Year 6 Students Enjoyed the Kahui Ako Mass Last Week

Matariki Workshops – Ako 2 & Aroha

Our teams have been participating in Matariki workshops this week. Older tamariki have worked as buddies with our younger tamariki and really enjoyed the variety of activities that teachers had planned for them.

Arahi News

Well…we have made it to the end of another very busy and exciting term. The students have absolutely loved our inquiry topic this term of comparing and contrasting life over the past 100 years. During this time they have learnt about the changes in fashion, music, technology and schools. We are very much looking forward to sharing their presentations during our centennial celebrations during week 8 of next term. We are also really looking forward to camp coming up in week 5 of next term and are even more excited to know that Whakapapa will be opening. Please use the holidays to organise your gear for camp. Please get in touch if you are having difficulty sourcing anything as we do have gear collected from previous camps. If you haven’t done so already, please let us know which school your child will be attending in 2024. We have some important dates coming up next term. Please write these down and let Mrs Burns know if you can help at any of these events. 

Thursday 27 July – Movie Night Fundraiser

Sunday 30 July – Mitre10 Sausage Sizzle

Thursday 3 August –  Year 7 & 8 Netball (We will need umpires and managers for our teams please)

Friday 4 August – School Disco

Thursday 10 August – School Cross Country

Sunday 13 August – Mitre10 Sausage Sizzle

Monday 18 September – Year 7 & 8 Girls & Mixed Basketball (we will need referees and team managers)

Tuesday 19 September – Year 7 & 8 Boys Basketball (we will need referees and team managers)

Arahi students working on their dioramas for their inquiry presentations.

School Events 

Basic Facts House Challenge

Well done to Chanel House for winning the first Basic Facts House Challenge, everyone in the house was rewarded with a huge make-your-own Ice Cream Sundae. As you can see from their faces, good day!

Netball House Challenge

It was a close call… but the teachers were able to take down Pompallier House in the Student/Staff House Netball Challenge, 8-7. I think there will be a lot of sore teachers tomorrow, but it was worth it to see the excitement on the children’s faces. 

School Centennial 8-9 September

Registrations for our School Centennial are now open. Please fill in the form at the following link https://www.stjosephscentenary.co.nz/register-now We look forward to reminiscing and celebrating with you.

Grandparents Day (TOMORROW)
On Friday 30th June we will be hosting our annual Grandparents Day. We would like to invite all of our grandparents to come and enjoy a special day with their grandchildren. Please join us between 11:30 and 1 pm to participate in some activities that we have organised for our children. The day begins with our Kapa Haka Matariki performance in the hall at 11:30 followed by an open morning in the classroom. At 1 pm, we will have a special light lunch in our school hall, provided by our PTA, to be enjoyed with your grandchild. After lunch, we invite all our grandparents to join us for a school Maori mass at 1:30 pm at St Patrick’s Church. Your child is most welcome to bring along another significant or special person in their life, if a grandparent is unavailable.

Movie Fundraiser for Winter Camp
Save the date for our fun night out at the movies, the Barbie Movie! No doubt this movie will bring back some memories and nostalgia. Anyone is welcome. Tickets will go on sale next week. Tickets will be limited so keep on the lookout next week for the order form.

School Speech Final

On Thursday, 22nd June, 11 Y5-8 students competed in our School Speech Finals. There were many topics from Why Failure is Necessary, to Why We All Need to Learn a New Language. 

They were all thought-provoking and certainly convinced us of a lot of things. 

A big congratulations to:

Meg Noble – ‘Cooking in Schools is Cool’ (Y5-6) and Rupert Archer – ‘Social Media is Hurting Society’ (Y7-8) won their categories. Runners-up were Evelyn Watling (Y5-6) and Annabelle Shields(Y7-8). The winners will now compete in the Franklin Speech competitions running this week. Year 5 and 6 competition took place at 7 pm at Pukekohe Hill School yesterday, Wednesday 28th June. Year 7 and 8 competition will start at 7 pm at Pukekohe Intermediate on Thursday 29th June (tonight). Meg, you spoke so well and represented your school wonderfully, so wonderfully that she claimed 2nd prize! The second-best speechmaker in all of Franklin! So proud of you Meg, and thanks to Mrs Mravicich and Mrs McArthur for supporting Meg last night! Rupert best of luck tonight, we are all behind you and super proud of your efforts. 

The NZ Modern School of Music held their 44th Annual Counties

Music Competitions on 9 and 10 June 2023.  The piano and keyboard students did extremely well and walked away with one trophy and numerous medals.

Alisa Cha won the Chloe Bryne Trophy after winning gold medals for all three items in her class.

The rest of the results for the 12-year-old age group were:

Dianna Fermin – two Gold medals and a Highly Commended certificate

Annabelle Shields  – Very Highly Commended certificate and two Highly Commended certificates

Grace Fonseca – Very Highly Commended and a Highly Commended certificate

Results for the 10 and 11-year age groups:

Olivia Cha – two Gold medals

Isla Shields – a Silver medal and a Bronze medal

Jesrusha Sijo – Bronze medal

Evelyn Watling – Bronze medal

Ezra Jijo – Very Highly Commended certificate

George Vaughan – Highly Commended certificate

Results for 8-year-olds, 7-year-olds and beginners:

Adeline Shields – Gold medal and two bronze medals 

Gabrielle Heaton – Gold medal and silver medal

Hana Aiavao – Gold medal and silver medal

Marjiam Pena – Gold medal

Leanne Domingo – 2 Silver medals and 1 Bronze medal

Lucy Watling – Silver medal

Desiree Fermin – Bronze medal

Olivia Arries – Bronze medal

Charlie Vaughan – Very Highly Commended certificate

Rene Barrington – Very Highly Commended certificate

Lita Aiavao – Highly Commended certificate

Jake William – Highly Commended certificate

Ashlyn Ephrem – Highly Commended certificate

Congratulations to you all!

Steam Club News

It was my first term as teacher of the STEAM club taking over from Mr Surrey. I had huge shoes to fill with all the knowledge and expertise he brought to this area. I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed my term with our steamers. Our focus this term was looking at Makey Makey in conjunction with Scratch to create projects that the steamers were passionate about. We enjoyed learning how Makey Makey’s worked and what we could use them for. Thank you to the STEAM club for the enthusiasm and energy you brought with you every Wednesday afternoon. 

A big thank you,

Mrs Egelmeer

Please note: Our Steam Club will retain the same students for next term. The students in LittIe Steamers will be contacted at a later date to confirm placement.

Franklin Bulls –  Jamaal and Christian visit St Joseph’s School

We were so excited to have Christian and Jamaal from the Franklin Bulls Basketball team come in to visit us at school. They presented three students an award who show resilience, grit and determination just like Blitz the Bull! Well done to Kingston Persese, Isla Shields and Luisa Tesimale.

Community Notices

 ‘Young at Art offer Children’s, Teens & Adult Art classes in Pukekohe.  Our Winter holiday workshops are open for booking (Papier Mache, Acrylic & Watercolour Painting, Collage and Dreamcatcher workshops). Term 3 after-school classes are open for booking in groups for children aged 6-9yrs, 9-12yrs and 13yrs+. Term 3 also offers a special Watercolour 4-week course for teens and tweens.  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 the term. Adult workshops include Family Dreamcatchers (adult and child), Watercolours Lillies, Resin Art & Resin Cheeseboards and Acrylic Painting. 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.