Term 4 Week 2 Newsletter #18

Term 4 Week 2                          27 October 2022                                       Newsletter# 18

Principal’s Message

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

Welcome back to school for Term 4.

Last week you would have received your child’s team’s newsletter and the Term 4 Key Dates, so you will understand that we have a very busy term ahead. It is also a short term so we will be working hard to fit everything in.

On one day last week, we had 93% of our students back at school; our highest attendance post-Covid. Most days it is under 90% which means we are having approximately 30 student absences every day. It is really important that when well, your child attends every day. Regular absences do affect your child’s rate of learning progress.

The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary. October is the month in which Mary appeared for the last time to the shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal urging them to “say the rosary every day to obtain peace for the world”. At school, our children will be saying the rosary each day and taking turns to pray the rosary in our prayer area with the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes who also holds her rosary beads. I encourage you to say the rosary in your homes so our children can experience it with you as a family. The intention for peace in the world is especially relevant today. 

Next week I will be out of school for two days as the accompanying principal in another Catholic primary school’s Catholic Character review. I look forward to the experience to learn how our Catholic Character is promoted elsewhere; particularly as the school shares our Mission Sisters RNDM charism. Next week we also celebrate the Feasts of All Souls and All Saints Days. On these days we acknowledge and pray for our special saints and our departed loved ones; especially those who have passed away this year. May they rest in peace. We especially remember Mary: New Zealand’s patron, and St Patrick and St Joseph: our parish and school’s patron saints.

This term we have the office for St Ignatius of Loyola College upstairs in our admin building, however, Mr Wearmouth will not be based here everyday. Some of our students have already had their enrolment interviews with Mr Wearmouth for 2024. Any inquiries regarding enrolment at St Ignatius College need to be directed through enrolment@saintignatius.school.nz. Our school does not hold this information.

Our new School Board met for the first time last night and I thank them, new and old, for being committed to be involved in our governance for the next three years. There are changes ahead as we steer our school from being a full-primary Year 1-8 school to a primary Year 1-6 school in 2024 and our School Board will play an important role. 

It was lovely to see our Ako 1 children going to Auckland Zoo this week and our Ako 2 students getting excited about their Totara Springs Camp which is only two weeks away. We also have our older children’s athletics day next week and Mission Day in Week 6. These are the fun things about school that students remember and it is great to be able to participate in them again.

Wishing you and your whanau many spring blessings.

Ngā mihi nui

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

RE whānau Survey: As part of our Special Character internal review, we are evaluating how we share the children’s RE learning with whānau. If you haven’t yet, please complete this very short survey to help us – RE WHĀNAU SURVEY  

All Saints Liturgy: We will have an All Saints liturgy to open our school assembly next Monday 30th October at 1:45. Our Aroha students (Years 0-2) will lead. All whānau are welcome to attend.

First Communion & Confirmation & Parish Masses: This Sunday 30th October a group of 24 tamariki will receive their First Holy Communion & Confirmation Sacraments at 10am Mass. We wish them the best for this special celebration and milestone in their faith journey. Father Robert will be the main celebrant in the Bishop’s absence but Bishop Steve will bless the parish with a visit on Sunday, 27 November at both the 8am and 10am Masses. Both dates are special opportunities for the Parish to come together over a cuppa and shared morning tea / lunch. Please bring a plate for both.

St Pats’ Kids Choir: Kids Choir has started again on Thursdays at 3:00 at the Church – ages 5-13. New members are most welcome.

School Board News

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 

STUDENTS MOVING ON FOR 2023
If your child is moving on to another school for 2023 could you please 
contact the office stjoesoffice@stjosephs.co.nz and let us know where your child/children
will be going. This also helps us to plan ahead.

2022 School Magazine Orders: Purchasing our annual school magazine is a lovely record of your child’s year at school. The cost of $25 has been added to your school account however the purchase is optional. If you do want to buy this year’s magazine, payment will need to be made by November 24th. The magazine is printed in December and distributed at the end of school year.

Summer Uniform:   Students should now all be in correct summer uniform

SchoolDocs: Policies and Procedures for parents to review

Go to https://stjosephspukekohe.schooldocs.co.nz/Logon

Community username: stjosephspukekohe   Community password: mission

Term 4 Review: Digital Technology and Cybersafety

  Instructions for reviewers

1. Follow the link to each policy.
2. Read the policy.
3. Click the red Policy Review icon at the right-hand top corner of the page. A new screen will appear.
4. Select your role (board member, staff member, or parent/caregiver) from the drop-down list.
5. Enter your name (optional).
6. Submit your ratings and comments.
   If you don’t have internet access, school office staff can easily provide you with printed copies of the policy and the review form.

This Policy will be confirmed at our 23rd November School Board Meeting.

Scholastic Book Club: Brochure Issue 7 out tomorrow, orders must be in by Monday 31 October.

School Events 

Franklin Basketball: Well done to both our Year 5-6 girl’s team and our Yr 5&6 mixed team that participated this past Wednesday at the Franklin Rec Centre. There were 16 schools participating and our girls finished the day in sixth place while our mixed team took out first place. Woohoo! So proud of the teamwork and sportsmanship that you all displayed on the day.

We are extremely excited to announce that Mission Day 2022 will go ahead this year. This is an annual tradition at St Joseph’s School, hosted by the Year 7 & 8 students. Mission Day raises money for the RNDM Mission Sisters and all profits raised will be donated to one of the current missions. 

What you need to know:

What is Mission Day? A mini gala day with food, games and activities that all students can participate in. Parents are welcome to attend as well. 

Date: Wednesday 16th November. 

Cost: We will sell tokens during weeks 4 and 5 that student can buy and then use at the stalls to buy food, toys, wacky hair, play games etc. Each token has a value of $0.50. All items will cost between a range of $0.50 and $2.50. We are estimating that $10 worth of tokens would be sufficient for students to be able to participate in the Mission Day events. Tokens will be sold before and after school at the front of the school. 

Bake Sale: We will be having a bake sale on Mission Day which will be cash sale or tokens, for those parents that want to come along and see the treats available. 🙂

How you can help

We will be having a Used Toy Stall  and are asking ALL families if they could have a look through their cupboards, toy boxes and shelves for any quality, used and clean toys that are no longer played with. Please drop off in the school office. 

Raffle Items – We will also be selling raffles before and after school and are looking for donations to support these raffles. Please drop off any raffle items into the school office as well. 

Grocery – any yummy non-perishable food. (crackers, hot chocolate, coffee, biscuits, soups, Christmas treats etc.)

Gardening – any gardening supplies (seeds, gloves, pots, tools)

Boys & Girls – any treats that boys & girls would like  (new toys, stationery, games, books, treats)

Please do not feel you need to go out and spend heaps of money on these items. If everyone pitches in a little bit, we will be able to provide some really awesome raffles.

School Athletics: On Friday 4 November, the Year 4 – 8 pupils will take part in the school athletics day. If you are able to help us make this a safe and enjoyable day for our children, we would dearly appreciate your support. Please be on the lookout for a form coming home tomorrow, Friday 28 October. There will also be a sausage sizzle hosted by the PTA on this day. Orders will take place next week

Please find Key Dates attached

TERM 4 2022 KEY DATES

Community Notices

Seasonal Work – manual labour: If there is anyone looking for some casual work from the beginning of November. This involves lifting and physical work. Would suit strong youth or others. Call Elvie for more information. Phone 0275709555.