Term 3 Week 9 17 September 2026 Newsletter #9
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Tena Koutou Katoa Talofa Lava Kamusta Malo e lelei Mauri Malo ni Faka talofa atu Namaste Greetings to all
As part of the Ministry of Education’s national curriculum refresh, updated learning area content for Years 0–10 in Science, Social Sciences, Technology, The Arts, and Health & Physical Education, have recently been released. These final versions join the recently updated English and Mathematics areas in the New Zealand Curriculum to set out clear, knowledge-rich pathways that support high-quality learning for our tamariki. There is a lot of change coming to us at a fast pace. We are pleased these documents are now finalised as the continual ongoing changes throughout this process have been challenging. I would like to acknowledge the extra work and dedication of the leadership team and teachers throughout this process.
Over the past two years, our Deputy Principal, Mrs Robin Burns, has participated in the NZCEO Aspiring Leaders Programme. Next week, she travels to Wellington for the final two-day gathering, exploring Catholic leadership, mission, resilience, developing young leaders and pathways into principalship. This has been a valuable experience for Robin as she prepares for future principalship opportunities. Congratulations, Robin, on completing this significant programme.
In Week 7, a group of us joined a delegation of the Auckland Diocese and Catholic Tainui schools to go to attend the Koroneihana and acknowledge and celebrate Te Arikinui Kuini Māori Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō. This is the second year since her coronation and our third year in attendance. It is a very special opportunity for our Māori students who had not been to Tūrangawaewae before. Our school values its relationship with tangata whenua, and participating in significant occasions such as this provides our Māori students (and staff) with an opportunity to experience kotahitanga.
This week is Māori Language Week. This year’s theme is Ake, Ake, Ake – A Forever Language, with a specific focus on Te Reo Towns—celebrating the local communities that have kept te reo Māori alive and encouraging all of Aotearoa to help it flourish. Each day this week, there have been quizzes in the student pānui for our children to solve. We hope they recognise more of our Maori place names.
Yesterday, Pa Pita McDermott celebrated a beautiful Miha Māori for our school community at St Patrick’s Church—a truly memorable highlight of Māori Language Week. Together as a school whānau, we gathered in faith, culture, and heritage to give thanks and worship. We welcomed Manuel Beazley, the CDA Vicar for Maori, his wife, Pata, and Margaret Fitzpatrick and Kuilei Pulotu, representatives from the Catholic Education Office. A heartfelt ngā mihi to everyone who generously contributed their time and talents to make this Mass so meaningful. It was a wonderful opportunity to honour and celebrate te reo Māori.
Next week Robin and I head to France to join the RNDM Mission Sisters Pilgrimage, “Following the Footsteps of Euphrasie Barbier”. Euphrasie Barbier was the foundress of the order of Mission Sisters who began our school so St Joseph’s has a Mission charism. One of our school houses is named Barbier and we named our new building Euphrasie. The pilgrimage will take us through significant places in France where Euphrasie lived and worked, such as Caen, Curves, and Lyon, before going to Sturry and Deal in England to visit where she is buried. We will be visiting Mission communities along the way and a highlight will be staying at the abbey in St Rambert en Bugey. As this trip finally becomes a reality, we are busy organising the new school term ahead before we leave. Please pray for us as we journey. Miss Amy Massey will be leading the school in our absence.
Wishing you and your whanau a blessed spring school holiday and looking forward to sharing some stories on our return.
Nga manaakitanga ki a koe.
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Special Catholic Character
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Values Awards
Aroha
Clodagh Farrell, Mila Williams, Harlow Stewart and Anna Gibbons – for jumping up and helping tidy the classroom after our craft.
Arahi
Zoey Talavou and Anthony Helu – for stepping out of their comfort zone and leading the “mili, mili, mili” at The Kids Sing.
Eloise McFadden, Zoe Webster, Desiree Fermin, Sofia Bautista, Mila Williams, Clodagh Farrell and Janaiah Nichols – for leading the actions for E Lanu Samoa at The Kids Sing.
Congratulations to Sophia Hewitt who placed 3rd equal in the Auckland Catholic Primary Schools Speech Competition. Well done
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Term 3/4 Key Dates
Please note these dates are subject to change For further dates see calendars on the website at: www.stjosephs.co.nz or the eTAP app
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SCHOOL POLICIES
SchoolDocs T3 Review: This term we are reviewing the following policies: School Community Engagement Policy (board), Inclusive School Culture (board), Enrolment, Student Attendance (board), Student Uniform/Student Dress Expectations, Concerns and Complaints Policy (board). Review closes 25 September 2026
A link to our school policies can be found on our school website or through www.schooldocs.co.nz
- Go to www.schooldocs.co.nz/
- Click Search for your school
- Start typing the school’s name (St Joseph’s School Pukekohe) and then select it from the dropdown list.
- Enter the community username: stjosephspukekohe and password: mission.
If you would like to contact the Board directly at any time, please do so through our email address schoolboard@stjosephs.co.nz
Our next School Board Meeting is Wednesday 28th October at 7:00 pm
The St Joseph Award
ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL PUKEKOHE wishes to recognise outstanding voluntary service to St Joseph’s Catholic School by any member of the St Joseph’s school community.
Selection will be of a person, or persons, who are recognised by the school community as having provided exceptional service to the school and have met at least one other of the following criteria:
Consistently shared their knowledge and skills
Contributed significantly to student learning opportunities
Contributed to the overall growth & development of the school
Supported the Catholic Character of the school by living out the gospel values and providing exemplary pastoral care to others.
If there is anyone you would like to nominate, please collect the criteria and nomination form from our school office. Nominations need to be submitted by the end of Week 2, Term 4 Friday 23rd October. There is no requirement that this award will be presented each year.
If you would like to contact the Board directly at any time, please do so through our email address schoolboard@stjosephs.co.nz
Thank you to our school community for yet another great term of learning. In particular, we wish to acknowledge our amazing staff who consistently go above and beyond to deliver an engaging and ever-changing curriculum and generously provide our Akonga with all the extracurricular activities during break times.
Have a safe and restful holiday.
The St Joseph’s School Board
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At St Joseph’s, we know that regular school attendance is essential for every child’s learning and success.
Our goal is for 80% of our students to attend school at least 90% of the time.
If your child is going to be away, please remember to notify the office via the eTAP app, the website or phone message by 9:00 AM.
St Joseph’s School Pukekohe Attendance Management Plan
For any questions or concerns regarding attendance, your child’s teacher should be the first point of contact. Requests for holidays during term time or for extended periods of absence should be submitted to the principal – Principal@stjosephs.co.nz
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School Notices / Upcoming Events
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Term Dates 2026
Term 3 – Monday 20th July – Friday 25th September
Term 4 – Monday 12th October – Tuesday 15th December
Labour Day Holiday Monday 26th October
Please email the office if your children are taking a holiday during the school term. stjoesoffice@stjosephs.co.nz
Term 3 School Attendance Dues are now overdue and should be paid in full.
Dues should be paid by Week 5 of every term into our
ASB account: St Joseph’s School (Pukekohe) Board 12-3023-0338374-01 ref: student’s name
These can also be paid at the school office by eftpos or cash.
Thank you to the families who have made the effort to get their dues paid.
The Catholic Character Contribution is a voluntary contribution forwarded to the Catholic Education Services Board. The St Joseph’s Development Trust Contribution is a voluntary contribution which the Trust is extremely grateful to receive. This is used in our school for improvements to our site and facilities. Both of these voluntary contributions are tax-deductible
2026 School Magazine/Year Book
If you would like to order a school magazine/yearbook please pay $23 to St Josephs School (Pukekohe) Board bank account 12-3023-0338374-01 with code: student name. Ref: mag.
The oldest student in each family has been invoiced for an OPTIONAL magazine.
$23 to be paid before 13 Nov. No late orders as we need to advise the Printer how many we require.
The school magazine is a lovely record of our school year which will be distributed at the end of Term 4
School Hours & Playgrounds
A reminder of school times: Students should not be at school before 8:00 am and all students should have left the school grounds by 3:00 pm unless supervised by their parents.
If families are running late for pickup, parents need to notify the office and children should be collected from the front of the school. Staff are not available to supervise children after hours.
Children should not be playing on the junior or senior playground before or after school unless they are supervised by their parents/caregiver. This is a health and safety issue
Helping in the classroom
If you have the time and energy, we welcome parents or grandparents to volunteer to work alongside some of our youngest children for an hour a day. If you are interested, please contact Lesley Wallace – lesleyw@stjosephs.co.nz
Second-Hand Uniform Shop
The Second-hand uniform shop is open on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons 2:30 – 3:00 pm.
In Term 4 students should be wearing their summer uniforms including a sunhat.
The Second Hand Uniform Shop will be open in the holidays date to be confirmed.
New items can be purchased from The Uniform Shoppe on Glasgow Road, Pukekohe
Click on this link to access the Maths Practise Tool to support your child’s maths learning at home.
Cybersafety
As a parent or caregiver at St Joseph’s, you have free access to Qustodio, a parental control tool that helps you monitor and guide your child’s online activity, and an online safety hub with digital safety advice.
Click here to access the St Joseph’s School Online Safety Hub
About halfway down the front page, you will find the section for Qustodio. If you would like to create a free account, you need to use the link from the St Joseph’s School Online Safety Hub.
Qustodio allows you to:
- Filter content and apps
- Monitor activity
- Set time limits
- Locate family
- Track calls and SMS
- Receive reports, alerts & SOS
You will only have access to Qustodio while you have a child attending St Joseph’s School, and for as long as we are able to include this as part of our Linewize subscription.
If you have any questions or issues regarding your Qustodio account, please contact their support team – myschool@qustodio.com
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Aroha
It has been an exciting time of learning in Aroha! In Mathematics, we have been exploring number structure and developing our understanding of addition and subtraction. We are learning to think like mathematicians, explain our thinking and use a range of strategies to solve problems.
In Literacy, we have been exploring different sounds and spelling patterns and learning how to apply these skills to our reading and writing. It has been wonderful to see our confidence growing as we use what we have learnt to read new words, build sentences and share our ideas through writing.
We have also been learning about God’s Creation and discovering that each of us is wonderfully made and a special gift from God. As part of our Social Justice Week learning, we have been exploring the idea that we belong to God and that every person is valued, loved and has a special place within our community. We have been thinking about how we can care for one another, celebrate our differences and show love and kindness to others, just as God calls us to do.
There is lots happening in Aroha, and we are so proud of the enthusiasm, curiosity and growth our learners are showing each day.
Ako
Ako Team had a wonderful day at Butterfly Creek on Wednesday, 2nd September. We enjoyed seeing a variety of animals, including tamarins, meerkats and otters, and exploring the beautiful Butterfly House, where some of the butterflies even landed on us! We also enjoyed a fun train ride around the park and learnt more about the butterfly life cycle and some of their amazing adaptations. We finished our visit with an exciting crocodile show and watched Scar, a very large saltwater crocodile, leap out of the water. It was a fantastic day of learning, discovery and fun.A big thank you to our wonderful parent helpers for giving up their time to join us and help make the day such a success. We really appreciate your support.
Arahi
 
St Anne’s Shield
On the 26th of August, St Joseph’s School Years 5-6 participated in the annual St Anne’s Tournament. 5 teams participated from Tackle Rugby, Tag, Netball and Soccer/Football. We displayed our St Joseph’s School values with pride. We took on what was said and won gracefully and lost humbly. The spirit of the day was positive and we could not have been more proud. Our teams did really well with the Tackle Rugby coming in 2nd, and both the netball teams finishing 3rd. Overall our school placed 3rd out of the 9 schools. That is an amazing achievement.
The Kids Sing
On Monday 7th September, our Year 5 & 6 Choir attended the Massed Choir Event at the Auckland Town Hall. Our group of 21 students joined 600 other students on stage for a full day of rehearsals. We then went ten-pin bowling and had dinner at Denny’s before returning for the evening concert in front of a sold-out crowd.
We were very fortunate to have our Pasifika leaders, Zoey and Anthony, proudly represent our school by leading the singing of “Mili, Mili, Mili” in the song “E Lanu Samoa”, while Zoe W, Zoey, Clodagh, Janaiah, Eloise, Desiree, Mila and Sofia led the actions.
Thank you to our parent helpers who spent the day with us. We really appreciate the time and effort you put into making it such a successful day. We are extremely proud of our choir, who have put in many hours practising and learning the songs for this event. It was a memorable experience for all involved.
Te Wiki o te re Māori
This week we have proudly celebrated Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week. Te reo Māori is a taonga, a treasure and, as a Catholic school in Aotearoa, we recognise our responsibility to honour, protect and strengthen the language for future generations.
We are fortunate that te reo Māori is already woven into life at St Joseph’s, particularly through our Religious Education programme, prayer and liturgy, and our strong Kapa Haka programme. This week, our students have also been completing a special Te Reo Towns Passport, exploring the Māori names of towns and places across Aotearoa and learning more about the meaning, history and stories behind these names.
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori reminds us to keep learning, speaking and celebrating te reo, not just for one week, but throughout the year. Kia kaha te reo Māori!
Here are a couple of the questions that the children have been answering. How well can you do?
- Te Whanganui-a-Tara is associated with a significant ancestor named Tara. The name is commonly understood as referring to the great harbour of Tara. Which New Zealand city surrounds this harbour today?
- Before Auckland became the capital, New Zealand’s first colonial capital was at Okiato in the Bay of Islands. It was established there in 1840 before the capital moved to Auckland in 1841. Which present-day historic town is Okiato close to?
- Kirikiriroa and Te Whanganui-a-Tara are both found on which island?
- Place these town names in order from most northern town to most southern town.
Kāikoura, Wanaka, Whanganui, Tamaki Makaurau, Whangarei, Rakaura, Taupō
- Unscamble this Te Reo town:
O O R T A U R
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HEALTH, SAFETY & WELLBEING
CHICKENPOX
Our school has recently had a number of chickenpox cases in the higher year levels. Early signs of chickenpox are: a fever, a headache, a runny nose, a cough, loss of appetite, feeling tired. Please be aware of these early signs as this is when children are most contagious.
Red rash
A red rash follows 1 to 2 days later. It usually starts on the face and scalp, spreads to the chest, back and tummy and then to the arms and legs. It can also appear inside the ears, on the eyelids, inside the nose and mouth.
Blisters
Within a few hours after each spot appears, a blister forms. It may be full of yellow fluid. After a day or so, the fluid turns cloudy. The blisters release liquid containing the virus, then form crusts or scabs that fall off after 1 to 2 weeks. The spots heal at different stages, some faster than others, so your child may have the rash in several different stages at once. If blisters are forming, chickenpox can easily spread to others.
Your child can easily spread chickenpox to others. Your child can keep spreading it until all their blisters have dried up. This usually takes 5 to 7 days. You need to keep your child home from school until all blisters have dried up.
Tamariki with chickenpox should stay away from daycare or school, and public places.
Online GP care now free for all under-14s
With lots of winter illnesses about right now, health services are experiencing very high demand. If you need to speak to a GP and can’t get in to your usual doctor or its after hours, Online GP provides a great option for accessing safe and quick care. The service is available from anywhere in the country, anytime day or night, and is now free for all under-14s.
Appointments usually take place through a video app or a phone call, and the service can prescribe medicine and send prescriptions to your nearest pharmacy.
It also provides another care option for rural communities, reducing the need to travel.
To learn more visit Online GP Care: https://www.healthnz.govt.nz/online-gp-care
Online GP costs for young people
0 to 13 years = Free
14 to 17 years = up to $13.50 (With Community Services Card)
= up to $45 (With no Community Services Card)
For more info on which health service to use when you or your child are unwell visit: www.healthnz.govt.nz/which-health-service-should-i-use
For advice on when you should keep your child home from school or ECE if they’re unwell visit: www.healthnz.govt.nz/knowing-if-your-child-is-well-enough-to-go-to-school-guidance-for-parents
Or download this factsheet: https://healthed.govt.nz/collections/school-guidance/products/should-i-keep-my-child-home-from-school-or-childcare-he7040
COMMUNITY NOTICES
  
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