Tena Koutou Katoa Talofa Lava Kamusta Malo e lelei, Mauri Malo ni Faka talofa atu Namaste Greetings to all
As we end our 2022 school year, I am sorry to say that Covid-19 finally caught up with me and I am now at home isolating. What a week to be away from school! This week, three special milestones are timetabled in our school calendar: the Year 8 Retreat at Tyburn Monastery on Tuesday, our Year 8 Graduation Dinner last night, and the End-of-Year School Prizegiving tomorrow at school. These are significant events for our graduating class in particular and I am so disappointed not to be there with them. Hopefully, I will be back at school on Monday and can attend our final School Mass.
As you may have realised, Covid cases are spreading in the community again just as we approach Christmas. We have had families and staff away at school and so, with disappointment, we decided not to hold our Parent Helper morning tea this week. I want to acknowledge all parents and whaanau who have supported St Joseph’s School in so many ways this year and our volunteers who come into the classroom each week to support children’s learning. Helping with transport or supervision of an event may not seem a big deal but without your support, our students could not participate in these extra opportunities. Many of you do this time and time again, and we thank you immensely for being available and helping us.
Last week, we were able to hold our Christmas Carol night. It was a fun-filled evening involving all of our students (and teachers) ending with the nativity scene being set by our youngest Aroha students. This Sunday will be the beginning of the third week of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday. The third candle on the advent wreath is a rose colour representing joy. It reminds us to rejoice as our Christmas celebration of the birth of baby Jesus comes closer. It really feels like Christmas is upon us despite this colder weather.
We have a very short week next week with school finishing at 1pm on Wednesday 14th December, Our 2023 school year will start on Tuesday 31st January. On that day, we will be having a Powhiri at 9:00am in our school hall to welcome our new students and their whaanau into our St Joseph’s School family.
Over the summer holidays, there will be some major changes being done to our front boundary fence and entrance on Seddon St. The hedge will be taken out and a new fence further back from the road will be established. Seddon St is only getting busier and we are widening the area between the gate and the road to make our school entrance more attractive but also to make it safer for our children. This work is being funded by the Catholic Diocese of Auckland. Later next year, the pedestrian crossing will also be upgraded.
Looking back at this time last year, Covid Levels were in place and we weren’t able to gather as a whole school, It is so refreshing to think that these summer holidays will be like they used to be; where people can travel and families reconnect, and we can enjoy our festive season more freely. Bring your children along to St Pat’s Christmas Eve Mass. It is always a lovely celebration.
Wishing you and your families many blessings for this Christmas and summer holiday season.
Stay safe and keep well.
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