Term 1 Week 6 12 March 2026 Newsletter #2
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Tena Koutou Katoa Talofa Lava Kamusta Malo e lelei Mauri Malo ni Faka talofa atu Namaste Greetings to all
It was pleasing to see that most parents attended our Parent/Child/Teacher’s Goal Setting Interviews last week. If you haven’t, your child’s teacher will be contacting you to book a time to meet with you. It is a good opportunity to set up a goal for your child’s learning and meet your child’s teacher for the year, and I understand that parents were pleased to receive the help sheets for Reading, Writing and Mathematics for their child’s year level. We are on a journey this year implementing the new curriculum documents and our mid-year report will be changed to reflect this.
I spent two days last week with principal colleagues from Franklin, Waiuku, Papakura and Hunua for our Principals’ Leadership Symposium. This was an important opportunity for professional learning, reflection and collaboration. The symposium brought together educational leaders from across the region to engage with leading thinkers on leadership, strategy, and the wider economic and social context shaping our schools. I found the experience very worthwhile with quality speakers, outside of education, focusing on strengthening leadership capability and supporting principals to lead in this increasingly complex educational environment. I found it very worthwhile.
On Monday, Sr Anne Sklenars RNDM came into the school to support our Year 6 students’ retreat. She then took a staff meeting with our teachers on how we learn our school charism and how it applies to our school values, always keeping Euphrasie Barbier at the centre. Sr Anne also discussed the relevance and connections the RE paper the staff are completing on Catholic Social Teaching and being in a Mission school. By responding to injustice, empowering those in need, and working for the fullness of life for all people, we are continuing to serve the mission Euphrasie Barbier began. It is always good to have one of our Mission Sisters back in our school.
This is a very exciting week in our school calendar. Not only have our Years 4-6 children participated in our school’s swimming sports, but there is great excitement about our upcoming Fun Fair this Saturday. I wish to thank you all for what you have contributed to the fair organisation thus far. We anticipate this fair to be a great success because we have such a supportive school community behind us. I especially want to acknowledge our PTA/Friends of St Joseph’s School (Renee Farrell, Nicola Hewitt, and their team of helpers), who have done so much work already in preparation for Saturday. Thank you to everyone who has given some of your time to assist on the day. We are looking forward to a fun day for all of our community. See you there!
Nga manaakitanga ki a koe.
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Special Catholic Character
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Values Awards
Arahi
Xeoul Lataipangai – For making good choices and being a good role model to others.
Philip Ahn – For leading by example. He listens thoughtfully and steps up to do what needs to be done, often without being asked.
Khalia Singson – For leading by example. She listens carefully and helps by doing what needs to be done, even when no one asks her.
Jade Colbran – For showing Arahi at playtimes. She is always offering to help the teachers and the young Aroha children. Her kindness is an inspiration for those around her.
Anthony Helu – For your leadership in Kapa Haka, practising during your lunchtimes to lead the haka. Your commitment is impressive.
Clodagh Farrell – For your mana and commitment to Kapahaka has been amazing! Tino pai!
Kara Knight – For your growth and confidence through Kapahaka has been impressive. Ka rawe!
Aroha
Tietie Utara – For being an amazing friend to all. She shows compassion and care to all and always helps those in need without hesitation. She is a wonderful role model in Room 5.
Cooper Sherwin – For always showing kindness, compassion and care to others. He is always looking out for children on the friendship seat and including them and lifting their spirits.
Piper Wilton – For showing your love and care towards others in your class.
Samuel Jacob – For helping settle a new student to our school despite being new yourself
Arahi & Aroha
Lily Pearce – For showing initiative, going the extra mile and keeping her classroom neat and tidy.
Maisie Elliot – For always helping others even when she is not asked to do so and helping our new children to settle in our class.
Jessica Somerset – For always helping others even when she is not asked to do so and helping our new children to settle in our class.
Sienna Irving – For leading by example: She cleaned up a mess that she didn’t make. She cares for our school environment.
Naomi Logan – For helping a Junior class and returning, selecting and issuing new set class library books when we were unable to attend library
Bryson Magaba – For helping a Junior class and returning, selecting and issuing new set class library books when we were unable to attend library
Year 6 Retreat
This week, our Year 6 students took part in our annual Retreat Day. It was a very special opportunity to pause, reflect, and deepen their sense of connection with one another and with God. Throughout the day, students were encouraged to spend time in prayer, reflection, and meaningful discussion, allowing them to step away from their usual routines and focus on their faith and personal growth.
We are especially grateful to Sr Anne for joining us and supporting our students on this day. Her presence, guidance, and encouragement helped make the retreat a meaningful and enriching experience for everyone involved.
Retreat days such as this are a valued part of our school community, providing students with time to reflect on their values, strengthen their relationships, and grow in faith together.
St Joseph’s Day
Saint Joseph’s Day will be celebrated on Thursday, 19 March. To acknowledge and celebrate our patron saint, we will begin the day with a whole school Mass at 9:00am at St Patrick’s Catholic Church.
Students are expected to wear their school uniforms to school and to church. After morning tea, students may get changed into their house colour clothes, appropriate for our annual St Joseph Day tabloid sports, which will start at 12:35 pm
Whaanau and community members are warmly welcome to join us for both events.
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Term 1 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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HEADS UP!
Auckland Council Pipeline Project
Auckland Council has confirmed that this project has experienced some delays. Their team is now expecting the works to commence in early to mid-April. Once the revised schedule is finalised, the council will provide us with the confirmed start date and the next steps.
Upcoming Teacher Only Day – Friday 27 March
On Friday 27 March the school will be closed for a Teacher Only Day. This is Day 3 of the Ministry of Education Maths PLD. Our teachers will be learning about accelerating maths progress and providing extension to those who need it. Teachers will be learning about the new Maths progress indicators from the new 2025 Maths Curriculum.
Please note – there will be the 4th Maths Teacher Only Day on Friday 19 June.
ERO inquiry on AI in schools
ERO’s national insights centre is looking at how AI is being used in schools.
ERO wants to understand how AI is currently being used (or not) by teachers, leaders, and students at school. We’re keen to know the challenges, benefits, and emerging impacts.ERO’s research centre wants to hear from parents and whānau about their children’s use of AI, as part of a national project. Here is the link to a 5-min survey: Parent survey_AI in schools
SCHOOL POLICIES
SchoolDocs T1 Review: This term we are reviewing some of the policies in the Safety On and Off School Grounds section: Alcohol, Drugs, and Other Harmful Substances Policy (board), Sun Protection (board), Digital Technology and Online Safety (board), and Cellphones and Other Personal Digital Devices. Review closes 2nd April
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.
Thank you to our school community for participating in our triennial board elections.
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 25th March at 7.00pm
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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.
Our goal is to see these numbers improve as the term continues, and we can’t get there without you. Every day in the classroom counts; consistent attendance ensures your child doesn’t miss out on vital learning or the chance to build relationships with their peers.
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 1 – Tuesday 3rd February – Thursday 2nd April
Term 2 – Monday 20th April – Friday 3rd July
Term 3 – Monday 20th July – Friday 25th September
Term 4 – Monday 12th October – Tuesday 15th December
Please email the office if your children are taking a holiday during the school term. stjoesoffice@stjosephs.co.nz
School Attendance Dues
Attendance Dues for Term 1 should now be paid.
ASB account: 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.
When making a payment, please help us by telling us what you are paying for.
Ref: Student’s name / Particulars – What payment is for.
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
School Start Time
Students are expected to be at school by 8:30 am. Teachers are not in class until 8:15 am. Parents, you need to ensure your child is at school by 8:30 every day. Thank you. Please note that any children who arrive at school before 8:15 are not supervised. Some children are arriving at school before 8:00 am!
Second-Hand Uniform Shop
The Second-hand uniform shop is open on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons 2:30 – 3:00 pm.
Winter uniforms will be available from week 7.
New items can be purchased from The Uniform Shoppe on Glasgow Road, Pukekohe
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Aroha
In Aroha we have had a lot of fun with our water safety lessons this term. There was always so much excitement about getting into the pool and lots of great conversations were had afterwards about what was learnt. We have been really happy to see the improvement in the students’ confidence in the water too. This week Aroha really enjoyed the “think and be me show” where we learnt some coping strategies for big feelings and about how we shouldn’t keep these feelings to ourselves. The show was very entertaining as well as informative.
Ako
We have thoroughly enjoyed our water safety lessons this year. We learnt how to enter and exit the pool safely, what to do in a rip, what to do if we are tipped overboard and how to float in different ways. There has been lots of fun, splashing and squealing. Our swim teachers from Fulton Swim School have been amazing and have helped foster some confident swimmers in our team.
Arahi
Our Year 4-6 students are diving into their swimming lessons this term, and we are incredibly lucky to have such expert instruction. Our Year 4s are enjoying their sessions on-site with Fulton Swim School, while our Year 5 and 6 cohorts are walking to the Rec Centre for lessons with Swim Magic. This off-site experience is a fantastic opportunity for our older students to practice their skills in a deeper pool environment. Developing water confidence is a vital life skill, and we are thrilled to see our ākonga making the most of these professional programs!
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PTA/Friends of St Joseph’s School Notices
THANK YOU!!!!!!
We have so many thank yous – to all the families who have donated items, their time, sponsorships etc. We could not have got this far without you. The PTA is very grateful to our very generous community and we look forward to sharing our school fun fair with you on Saturday. The gates will open at 10am for a great day.
If you want to pre-purchase tokens please ensure you payment has gone through by midnight Thursday 12th and you have handed your payment slip to the classroom teacher for processing. Tokens will be distributed on Friday. Please check your children’s bags.
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BARADENE COLLEGE – Enrolments for Year 7, 2027 and for limited places in other Year levels are being accepted now and will close at 3pm tomorrow Friday 13 March, 2026.
We are excited to let your community know that applications for enrolment into Year 7 and Year 9, 2027, are now open, with the close date of Friday 27 March. Parents can apply online through our website Sacred Heart College Enrolments, or they can contact our Enrolments team via email: enrolments@sacredheart.school.nz for more information.
 
https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/476755
Please register by the 15th of March
For more information email stjoesnetball@gmail.com
Whether your child is a confident performer or just discovering their love for the stage — this programme is the perfect school holiday experience.
Register now — spots will fill fast! https://forms.gle/5VXWjwjXoinFmA2s6
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