Term 4 Week 6 Newsletter #20

Term 4 Week 6                     24 November 2022                                       Newsletter# 20

Principal’s Message

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

This week has been exciting for our children with the anticipation of our Mission Day and finally participating in the day despite the wet and windy weather. It was pleasing to see so many of our whānau and past pupils coming back to school for the day. Our Arahi students and teachers worked hard to make it a successful fundraising event with the proceeds going to the RNDM Mission Sisters’ missionary work in Vietnam and India. The missionary projects we sponsor have been chosen as Sisters associated with our school went on to work in these places. Sr M Lawrence (Sr Sheila) was a former principal of St Joseph’s and she helped to establish a mission to support women and children in Vietnam, and Sr Padma, a visiting Sister from India, stayed in Pukekohe and had work experience in our school before returning to India to teach in very primitive conditions.

This week our PTA organisers met to discuss plans for next year’s Fun Fair which will be held on Saturday 11th March.  This small group of people are working hard in the background to get things rolling. I encourage you to get behind them and offer your support when they meet in the new year. All hands on deck to make our 2023 Fun Fair a memorable, fun-filled community event that we can all look forward to. Funds raised will go toward improving the junior playground.

We have so much to look forward to as we speed through Term 4. Ending the year without any Covid restrictions means that plans are in place for our end-of-year events to go ahead as usual. Next Wednesday we have our family picnic at 5 pm on the field, followed by our Christmas Carols at 6 pm in the school hall. Bring your whānau, your own kai/food and join us before the carols begin. 

The following week is full of celebratory events particularly acknowledging our Year 8 graduating students. As well as going to Rainbow’s End as a reward for school service, they will be having a retreat and graduation dinner to look forward to, followed by our end-of-year prizegiving, final assembly and school Mass. We hope they are enjoying their final term at our school.

God bless.
Ngā mihi nui

It is in prayer and a close union with God

that we find enlightenment in doubt,

consolation in troubles,

an invincible force in the midst  of difficulties

and success in the works of zeal entrusted to our care.

Euphrasie Barbier 

(1869)         

KEY DATES

          TERM 4 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

Values Awards

Zinzan Johnston: Aroha – Love
For noticing Mrs Hall arrive back to school after a meeting and closing the driveway gate without being prompted. Thank you Zinzan – little acts of kindness make a big difference.

Caroline Dang: Piripono – Loyalty -For your service in helping to set up for School-Assisted Mass.

Gabriel Richardson: Aroha – Love For being a positive, polite and inclusive member of the team.

Lariana Tapelu-Poe: Arahi – For leadership in the Athletics relay race. Continuing to run when another person pulled out. You smiled and just kept running!

Bishop Steve visits Pukekohe
This Sunday, our new bishop, Steve Lowe, will be celebrating both the 8am and 10am Masses at St Patrick’s Church. Please come along to meet him. There will be a morning tea after each Mass. Please bring a plate of food.

End of Year Mass – Change of Date
Our End of Year Mass date has changed and will now be on Monday 12 December at 1:00pm.

St. Patrick’s Food Bank
Christmas Hampers Preparations will soon be underway for the Parish Church annual Christmas Hampers for those in our community in need of support. Gifts for boys or girls aged 0 – 15 may be dropped off to the Parish Office or Sacristy. God Bless your generosity!

MISSION DAY
What a brilliant day Mission Day was, despite the weather causing a bit of a worry earlier in the day. We didn’t have Mission Day in 2021, so yesterday’s event was a first for many of our students, families and teachers. It was great seeing so many past students come along too. The Arahi students learnt about running a small business and the amount of effort that goes into marketing their product, hitting their target group and supply and demand. Most importantly all of the students had a great time participating in games, buying toys, eating lollies and sausages, buying beautifully baked goods and having a great time with their friends. This fun day was of course a way that our school gets into the spirit of our mission charism and through the help of everyone we raised over $5000. What a great team effort. All of the proceeds will go to the RNDM Mission Sisters. To find out more about their missionary work visit https://rndm.org.nz/mission-promotion/

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 

School Drop Off/Pickup: A reminder- Please do not park across the school driveway or come into the school car park when dropping off and picking up your children. It is dangerous and puts our students at risk.

2022 Leavers Survey: A reminder to our Year 6 and Year 8 parents who have children that are leaving at the end of this year.  Please complete the Auckland Catholic Education services survey sent out to you to be completed by Monday 28th November  This only takes about 5-10 minutes to complete and your response will remain anonymous. Your participation provides valuable feedback to help them understand the reasons behind your choice of secondary schooling, be it Catholic or non-Catholic schools.  Thank you.
 https://au.focusvision.com/survey/selfserve/219f/221107

Attendance Dues: All Attendance Dues should now be paid for the year.  Attendance Dues are compulsory.  If any family is experiencing difficulty with paying their term/annual Attendance Dues due to financial hardship, please make an appointment to see Mrs Hall to discuss the options available, or contact the Revenue Manager at the Catholic Diocese of Auckland on 09 360-3069.  Financial assistance is not available for non-preference students.

Mission Day Raffle Winners:  Congratulations to the winners of our Mission Day Raffles!

Garden Raffle:  Mrs Murphy                                  
Drinks Raffles: Mrs Mravicich, Mrs Cunningham and Gabriel Richardson
Grocery Raffles: Annabelle Shields, Mrs Wilcox, Mrs Helen Farrell, Fatai Helu, Mrs de Farias,
Remy MacGilloway and Evelyn Watling
Large Girls Raffle:  Grace Millar
Small Girls Raffle:   Sophie Clark
Large Boys Raffle:  Jethro Yoj Fajardo
Small Boys Raffle:  Jethro Benj Fajardo
Guess the Lollies:  Stanley Bucheler

MUSTANG RAFFLE: We didn’t draw the Mustang Raffle as we haven’t sold all 100 tickets yet. These tickets will continue to be on sale and we hope that we will draw the raffle at the carol evening on Wednesday 30 November. You may still send in your $10 entry in a labelled envelope with your name and phone number on it. 

School Events 

AKO 1 NEWS
Ako 1 have been very busy practising for their Assembly next Monday and their Mini Athletics Day next Thursday.  Ako 1 loved Mission Day.  For many of our students it was their first Mission Day and they all had so much fun.  In maths, our students have enjoyed algebra and now we are learning about time. 

Community Notices

 NZ Modern School of Music

Looking for a fun activity?
Enquire now about in-school guitar/ ukulele  lessons for term one 2023.
Fun, creative and convenient.  All levels. Learn to play your favourite songs! 
One on one lessons or buddy up with a friend. 
Opportunity to enter into local music competitions and music exams. 
Limited numbers, so be quick!
Contact Donna Allely for lesson information. 
Phone 021 1858553

Email allelyjd@gmail.com
Website www.nzmsmcounties.co.nz

The Flash Bang Science Club are offering pre-Christmas workshops on Wednesday 21st December with the SCIENCE of BUBBLES (5yrs+) and BALLOON CARS & BOTTLE ROCKETS (6yrs+). After school Children’s Science classes are also running next term for students aged 6-12 years on a Wednesday’s and Thursday’s commencing (4pm – 5.30pm) 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.