Term 3 Week 1 Newsletter #13

Term 3 Week 1                            28 July 2022                                       Newsletter# 13

Principal’s Message

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

Welcome back to Term 3!

Hopefully, the weather will settle down soon and our winter term is not too wet or cold.

Following the Ministry of Education’s advice, we strongly recommend the continuation of mask-wearing for our Year 4-8 students and all adults at school when inside. We continue to have regular absences of staff and students, mostly not Covid-19 related, but the severity of this winter’s flu has taken us by surprise. As suggested in my last newsletter, relievers are currently in short supply and we hope the school will be adequately staffed for the coming term.

Over the July break, the playground area between the pool and Rooms 12 & 13 was resurfaced in turf and paved. This is now a more functional area for our children to enjoy and we may be able to add to it in the future. We thank the St Joseph’s Development Trust and our PTA who funded this improvement. Inside, the school lighting has been updated to LED lighting and our external security lighting updated. There is always work to be done when our school is empty.

It is exciting to see our new Year 1 class up and running and our Year 0 class growing again. I wish to acknowledge the extra work staff have put in to have these rooms ready and making this transition smooth for our youngest children. We are so lucky to have loyal staff who can step in when needed.

It was lovely to see some of our children receive the Sacrament of Initiation/Baptism last Sunday and Confirmation at the end of last term. It is wonderful to see parents, parish and school are supporting their faith journey as they grow as young Catholics.

This week, as part of the introduction of Aotearoa New Zealand Histories in schools, our staff attended a special screening for local schools of “Whina”. Not only was this a nice way to start the term, but it was also heartwarming and challenging as we reflect on the difference that Whina Cooper made during her life time for Aotearoa New Zealand. 

We are looking forward to Term 3’s sports and activities as we are almost back to normal at Covid Orange level. We hope the St Anne’s Shield will go ahead later in the term; the first time since 2019. The Franklin Mathex competition will also go ahead but, as agreed by Franklin principals, this year it will be held during the day with no parent audience. We are thankful that it can go ahead at all.

It is of great sadness we heard today that Sr M Bernadette Fletcher RNDM passed away yesterday. Sr Bernadette was our last Mission Sister living in Pukekohe, leaving in 2017. When she was well, she tried to visit the school each week and listened to children’s reading. Sr Bernadette’s Requiem Mass will be held this Monday at 11:00 am at St Mary’s Church, Ellerslie. May she rest in peace.

Looking forward to seeing you at the St Ignatius planting on Saturday. Hopefully it is fine.

Stay safe and God bless.
Ngā mihi nui

Ursula Hall
Principal – Tumuaki

“Let the mustard seed be hidden for a little time,        

continue to water it with prayer before God, 

and soon you will see it yield fruit a hundred fold.” 

Euphrasie Barbier 1863

KEY DATES

   TERM 3 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

Baptisms Last Sunday

Congratulations to the newly baptised on Sunday! Welcome to our Catholic Community

Baptised on Sunday 24 July: Grace Tucker, Mia-Rose Richardson, Zena Richardson, Gabriel Richardson, Ivy Kilian, Lily Bain, Amelia Milite, Max Milite.

These children were confirmed on Sunday 10 July: Pitas Baraniko, Madison Clark, Sophie Clark, Keira Jones, Ella Kayes, Elijah Koaneti, Kitione Koaneti, Shae McLagan, Meg Noble, Thomas Plimmer, Leo Rowlatt.

You’re Invite

The St Ignatius of Loyola Establishment Board and the new principal, Dean Wearmouth, invite our Pukekohe community to attend this very special Blessing and Medal Ceremony onsite at 485 Burtt Road, Drury, this Saturday 30th July 2022 at 1:00 pm.

The ceremony will include the planting of trees in the school grounds. You are asked to bring your gardening gloves and a tool and help plant these in a small area.

This is very exciting as the opening of our new local Catholic college becomes more evident.

The school will be built in 2023 and ready to open for our Year 7, 8 & 9 students in 2024.

Please contact: admin@stignatiuscollege.nz for any further information.

St Patrick’s Kids Choir
Practice starts today at the Church and will be each Thursday 3:00-3:40. All children aged
5-13 are welcome. Email annalynvicente32@gmail.com or just come along.

School Board News

School Board Elections 2022:

This year our triennial School Board Elections will be held on the 23rd of September.

School board members play an important role in shaping the education experience and achievements of students. NZSTA hosts a series Kōrari workshops throughout New Zealand to help people understand the role of school board members and inspire them to get involved – either by standing for election or voting. Find out more about Kōrari. https://www.schoolboardelections.org.nz/becoming-a-board-member/korari/ 

Please ensure the school has your current email address (and phone number) in order for you receive communications about nominations and voting procedures. Thank you.

https://www.schoolboardelections.org.nz/becoming-a-board-member/ 

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

School Notices

NEW ENROLMENTS 2023

If your child, or someone you know, is turning 5 years old next year, 

we need them to enrol at St Joseph’s School now!
Knowing how many children are coming helps us to plan ahead for our staffing.
Other enrolments are welcome at any time.

Please contact the office stjoesoffice@stjosephs.co.nz

Term 3 Learning Conversations: During the next two weeks (1-12 August), if you have any questions about your child’s learning progress, you have the opportunity to book in a conference with your child’s kaitiaki/teacher . Alternatively, teacher’s will be contacting any parents they would like to speak with. 

These conferences are by request of the parent or teacher. Some parents already keep in regular contact with their child’s teacher and may not require a set meeting at this time. These can either be face to face, through Zoom or Google Meets, or a phone call – whatever works best for you.

If you would like to request an appointment, please directly message or email your child’s teacher to arrange a time to meet/talk. Remember you can make an appointment to see your child’s teacher at anytime, however, we have staff/team meetings after school on Monaday and Tuesdays, so those times are unavailable.

St Joseph’s School Pukekohe – 100 Years 2023!:  We welcome you to join us at our next Centennial meeting on Wednesday the 29th of August at 7pm in the school staffroom. We would love to have representation from our foundation families. Alternatively, if you want to offer your support in any way we would like to hear from you. Spread the news and get involved. It is going to be fun. Please send us an email to 100years@stjosephs.co.nz

After School STEAM club: From Week 2, STEAM club will begin for Term 3 again every Wednesday 3pm – 4pm in the STEAM room upstairs. It is open for students Year 3 – 6 and children explore a range digital tools and technology concepts. There will be 24 slots available on a first come first serve basis. If you would like to have your child attend contact the school office to be put on the waiting list. Slots have fill up quickly in the past and if your child attended last term you will still need to re-enrol in this term. There is a $20 cover charge to cover consumables. 

Health Update:

Masks are strongly recommended in schools for Years 4 – 8, as per the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health guidelines. At Joseph’s School this request will be in place for Term 3. All adults are asked to wear masks when inside our school buildings.

We are now seeing a number of secondary COVID-19 reinfections emerging in our school community. Below is the most up-to-date information we have from the Ministry of Health. 

If you develop cold-like symptoms within 28 days or fewer since the last infection

• there is no need to test
• stay home if you or your child feels unwell. 

If you or your child feels unwell 29 days after first testing positive

• take a rapid antigen test.  
• If that test is positive, you/they will need to isolate for seven days.

If you or someone else in your household tests positive for COVID-19, your Household Contacts will need to isolate again, unless they have:

• had COVID-19 within the previous 90 days, or
• been in isolation as a Household Contact within the previous 10 days.

If you or someone in your house is sick with another illness

• Stay home

Key Dates are attached to this newsletter

School Events 

Hello Parents/Caregivers,    

St Joseph’s School’s photo day is          
scheduled for Tuesday 16th August.

We have chosen to go online again this year, there will be no envelopes sent home.      

ORDERS OPEN Friday 8th July.   

ORDERS CLOSE Monday 15th August.

You cannot order after MIDDAY on Monday 15th August, NO EXCEPTIONS 

If you would like to order a class photo, or pre-order a portrait of your child/ren, please click on the following link: https://masterpiece.queensberryworkspace.com/sjcs22

 If you have any queries on how to use the website, please contact Masterpiece Photography directly on 823 4306 or masterpiecephotos@gmail.com Do not contact the school.

Remember to get your order in before Monday 15th August, or there will be no portrait/s of your child/ren taken!

Kind regards
The Team at Masterpiece Photography

Domino’s Pizza

GET YOUR PIZZA TONIGHT!! In association with Domino’s Pizza, $1 from every pizza sold will be donated to our Year 5 &6 School camp. Order your pizza between 5pm-8pm TONIGHT to take part in this donation. Lock it in for a Pizza Night. 

AKO 2  MITRE 10 MEGA SAUSAGE SIZZLE THIS SUNDAY!

Come on down to Mitre 10 Mega this Sunday       
from 9am – 3pm and get a delicious sausage,
chocolate and/or drink. Proceeds go to Ako 2’s
Camp in November.

 There will also be a raffle on sale for $2!
1st Prize – Yeti Tundra 35L Chilly Bin worth $450!
2nd Prize – $100 Mitre 10 Mega voucher! 

TERM 3 KEY DATES

Community Notices

ALONE AGAIN? Widowed, Separated or Divorced? 

The Beginning Experience is a non-profit organization with the motto of “A Weekend Away for a Lifetime of Change” for adults. The retreat will help you work through your painful loss. 

The participants find new hope, increased emotional health and renewed energy. 

Date: Friday evening to Sunday afternoon 23-25 September. 

Cost: $350 or an early bird price of $325 if paid by 18 August. 

Includes accommodation, meals and materials. 

Contact Lynda 027 4898003 and (09)478-9742 or Kelly evenings 027 6864416 www.beginningexperience.org.nz 

Besthope Early Learning Centre is now open!
We are currently taking enrollments, so if you are looking for excellent early childhood care and education for 2-5 year olds, with 100% qualified teachers, please pop in for a visit.
We offer a Christian curriculum and a great transition to school programme for our four year olds.
50% off fees for the first 3 months *for a short time only*
We are open 7.30am – 5.30pm monday to friday.
Located at 117 Seddon Street, Pukekohe Ph: 09 9478399

Email: besthope.elc@hotmail.com

https://m.facebook.com/Besthope117/

 ‘The Flash Bang Science Club are offering after school Children’s Science classes this term for students aged 6-12 years on a Wednesday or Thursday commencing from 3rd August onwards in Pukekohe.  Limited places are available.  For more information or to book please email: admin@flashbangscienceclub.co.nz or check out our website: www.flashbangscienceclub.co.nz’

We are grateful for your continued support.  Any questions please feel free to ask.

‘Young at Art offer Children’s, Teens & Adult Art classes in Pukekohe.  Term 3 ART ADVENTURES after school classes commence in week 2 of term and are open for booking in groups for children aged 6-9yrs, 9-12yrs and 13yrs+ on Monday’s, Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s. We do currently have some places available in all age groups.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. We are also offering a Photography one day workshop this term for students aged 10-18yrs.  Our Adult workshops include Watercolours, Face Painting, Resin Art and Family (adult & child) Mixed Media workshops. 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’.

Free Flu Jabs for Tamariki aged 3 to 12
Children aged 3 to 12 years old can get a free flu vaccination from their GP, healthcare provider or at most pharmacies. 

Free flu jabs for tamariki – Ministry of Health

Most tamariki aged 9 years and over need one vaccination each year to get good protection against flu.  

If you have a child under 9 years old, talk to your healthcare provider as they may need one or two vaccinations depending on whether they’ve had a flu vaccine before. 

If tamariki have recently had COVID-19 they can have a flu jab as soon as they’ve recovered.

Returning to activity and sport after COVID-19
KidsHealth has some useful information about children returning to physical activities after having COVID-19.

The guidance covers when and how children should ease back into physical activity.

Guidance for returning to activity and sport after having COVID – KidsHealth

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