Greetings, Kia ora, Kia orana, Talofa, Mālō e lelei, Namaste, Ni Hao, Bula, Hola, Kumusta
Dear Families
Happy St Joseph’s Day to all our families and wider school community! This week we have also celebrated St Patrick’s Day on the 17th March. These extraordinary saints both bore credible and generous witness to the love of Christ. They are a wonderful example to us of saying YES to the invitation to live out the mission of the Church through faithfulness, simplicity and modesty.
You may like to pray this prayer at home with your family – asking St Joseph to pray with us as we too, strive to live out the Gospel values as disciples of Christ.
Joseph Holy
Joseph holy, faithful guardian,
Spouse of Mary ever virgin
Loving teacher of God’s Word.
You the model of obedience,
You the poor and humble worker,
You the patron of the Church.
Then we ask you Joseph faithful
Help us always be attentive
Listening, hearing God’s own Word.
(Source: Josephite Prayer Book – Volume 1)
Parents Teachers Friends Association (PTFA)
This coming Tuesday 23rd March at 7:00pm, our PTFA hold their Annual General Meeting (AGM). We invite all parents, teachers and friends of Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School to attend this meeting. We have been truly blessed to have an amazing group of people who generously give of their time, skills and strengths to our school community all in aid of supporting us to be able to do our best for the children. The PTFA contributes significantly to the fundraising that allows us to continue to develop our school environment so that it is truly reflective of our catholic special character and also as a place of learning where our children can thrive and be nurtured into young people of faith – learning, loving and serving.
Please join this enthusiastic band of parents and friends. Your own gifts and talents and time will be greatly appreciated!
PTFA AGM this Tuesday 23rd March 7:00pm in the school staffroom
School Fun Run
Last week, children would have come home with a pamphlet full of information about the upcoming School Fun Run.
The School Fun Run is our major fundraising event this year on April 9th 2021 from 4 – 6pm here at school. We’re raising funds for our outside Sacred Space – our Mary Grotto Prayer Garden.
About the Fundraiser
The School Fun Run is all about Fun! It’s a day for the children and our whānau to be at school for a run with their fellow classmates, friends and students… sometimes even the teachers and families get involved! There will be colours being sprayed, there will be nets, obstacles and a fire engine! This will be one of the most exciting days on our school’s calendar with everyone’s participation the aim. So please make sure you can attend the day and cheer the other kids on!
How Does My Child Fundraise?
Firstly, go to schoolfunrun.co.nz and create a student profile page. Everything to do with your fundraising revolves around this page.
Students who raise just $10 will be able to choose a prize! The more they raise, the better their reward – don’t forget to check these out in the sponsorship form! The great thing about online fundraising is that you can share the link to your child’s profile with friends and family via email, text and social media.
Online Fundraising
The easiest way to help your child raise money is through online fundraising. On top of raising more money, it’s also safer and easier than door knocking and you don’t have to worry about handling money! To start fundraising online, go to your student profile page at schoolfunrun.co.nz and share your online fundraising link.
Getting Involved
Not only can you support the school and students with your sponsorship – but you can join in on the fun! We would love to welcome parents and family members to attend the School Fun Run. If you would like to volunteer on the day, spraying colour on our children, watching the various fun stations of the course, please contact the PTFA on the details below. I can’t wait to see you at our event!
Ordering Prizes – ALL PRIZES MUST BE ORDERED ONLINE
Please contact your school’s coordinator if this isn’t possible.
Prizes MUST be ordered between the April 12th 2021 and April 16th 2021*. Simply visit schoolfunrun.co.nz to create / log into your Profile Page between these dates. Then click on the ‘CLAIM YOUR PRIZE’ button and follow the prompts. If you have any questions, please contact the School Fun-Run team on 0800 377 170 and they will gladly assist!
Thank you, good luck and happy fundraising!
Laura Cooper and Michelle Porter
Parents, Teachers & Friends Association
DRS Report
Feast of St Joseph
Today our school celebrated the Feast of St Joseph in style. As a patron saint of workers, our students and staff dressed up as ‘workers’ to commemorate St Joseph’s Day. Our gold coin donation we collected on the day for Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, came to a total of $302.00. Thank you!! We ended our day with a special St Joseph’s Day liturgy in Taamaua/school hall which was led by our students from MacKillop Whānau. They reminded us of the loyal, silent man who stood beside our Mother Mary and helped to nurture the young Jesus. We continue to celebrate St Joseph throughout this year as we learn about him and his special role as foster father to our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Reconciliation
Next week, on Tuesday 23 March, our Year 7/8 students will be attending a combined liturgy of Reconciliation with students from St Mary’s School, Papakura. This will be held at St Mary’s school hall. Reconciliation or Penance is a healing Sacrament that nurtures our inner peace and helps us to reconcile and restore our relationship with God, with others and with the Church. During this time of Lent, Christians are reminded to make time to attend this healing Sacrament in the Church.
Students’ Religious Education Books
Thank you to our whānau for your feedback and family comments that were written and shared in our students’ RE books that came home. It’s fantastic to hear our children talk about the new learning in Religious Education that they had shared with their whānau!
Mahi Tahi – Student, Teacher, Parent Conferences
Due to Alert Level 2 requirements, we needed to shift our Mahi Tahi Student/Teacher/Parent Conferences to a new date. These are now being held this coming Thursday 25th March from 3pm – 6pm.
At the Mahi Tahi Conferences, we are looking forward to the students sharing with you, their current learning goals, their next learning steps and their progress on the Holy Trinity School’s Toku Reo – learners’ profile! Teachers/Kaitiaki will also be sharing with you the expectations and routines for each of the Learning Communities. Please keep this date and time free so you are able to join us here at school to celebrate students’ home and school learning during this term.
We are looking forward to meeting you all and sharing in great learning conversations!
Financial Support for Attendance Dues Payments
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE DUES – FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Financial assistance is available to assist families who may need financial support with the payment of Attendance Dues for preference students attending Catholic schools in Auckland Diocese, both primary and secondary.
Families facing financial difficulties can contact their school office, their Parish Priest or the Revenue Manager on 09-360-3069 at the Catholic Diocese of Auckland for further information.
Application forms for this assistance are available from school and parish offices, or can be down-loaded from the Catholic Diocese of Auckland Website: https://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/acfl-attendance-dues-financial-assistance/
Hauora – Health & Safety
Emergency Drills
Over the last two weeks, students and kaitiaki have practised an earthquake drill, a fire drill and a lockdown drill. Although the year has barely started, it is of comfort to know that our students performed these exercises successfully.
Our students know the importance of such drills and that their ability to stay calm and alert during the drills is a privilege to observe.
Korero/chat with your child(ren) and ask them how they felt about the whole experience – hopefully they can share with you the importance of such drills and why practising these exercises is necessary for our own safety and the safety of others.
Home Learning Survey – Your voice matters!
Many thanks to our whānau for your amazing support over Lockdown Alert Level 3. We appreciate the home learning that you shared and your communication in regards to your child(ren’s) hauora and learning needs.
We’re always looking at how we can improve, enhance and connect aspects of our learning with home.
Last week we shared a Home Learning Survey with you on HERO.
We are asking for your voice in regards to learning at home. Don’t be afraid to be honest – if anything you’d be helping us immensely. If you haven’t had the chance to complete the survey, we’d still love to hear from you.
The link is here, just click on ‘Home Learning Survey.’ Home Learning Survey
Sincere thanks to those of you who have already completed the survey. Your thoughts and honest opinions are very much appreciated. Any queries or questions please make contact with us.
Many thanks in advance.
Learning Community News
Learning Community Awa
Kaitiakitanga
Our tamariki are doing a great job being the kaitiaki of our environment by watering the plants, picking up litter and keeping our learning community neat and tidy.
In Religious Education, the children are able to share how they can look after God’s creation by caring for our earth.
Hauora – Health and Well being
The tamariki are learning that their Hauora is made up of 4 parts – physical, spiritual, mental and social. We have shared ideas about each part and discussed how these make up who we are. During writing time, they are able to write down their ideas about what they need to do to stay healthy and can give examples of eating healthy food and practicing good hygiene.
When we talk about the ways we show kindness to others, the learners explained how the kindness of others made them feel. We realise this not only contributes to our mental wellbeing but also our social wellbeing. All four aspects affect each other and are interlinked.
Throughout the school day, we are reminded that with prayer and meditation we are feeding our spiritual self by acting on the Gospel values of Compassion, Unity, Resilience, Respect, Integrity and Excellence. Next we will discuss how our mental and social self enhances our Hauora.
Learning Community Whenua
Learning Community Maunga
In the past couple of weeks, Maunga students have been exploring probability in Statistics. Through a range of different activities including playing cards, coin toss, guessing colours of counters and using probability trees, students have gained some knowledge of vocabulary such as “likely, unlikely, certain and impossible.” They are learning that these concepts inform their everyday living, as they plan and understand risk, chance and variation.
Eye On Nature
Next week a group of 30 students have accepted an invitation to visit the Auckland Botanic Garden on Hill Road, Manurewa. The programme has a strong environmental focus. This year it will include the theme ‘From the Mountains to the Sea, Water is Life’ – Mai nga maunga ki te moana, ko te wai te oranga.” Throughout the day, students will complete a rotation of different activities which will further add to their kete of knowledge and understanding of how we interact with the world around us. This fits in well with our concept of Hauora through the lens of Kaitiakitanga, guardians of our common home.
Hauora
The Māori holistic model of health, te whare tapa whā, reminds us to take care of all the different aspects of our lives to support our wellbeing. i.e. taha tinana (physical wellbeing); taha hinengaro (mental wellbeing); taha wairua (spiritual wellbeing); taha whānau (family wellbeing). The learners’ understanding of the concept is strengthened with the creation of a wharenui (meeting house), the 4 walls of the wharenui are a symbol of these 4 dimensions and how each one influences their own hauora and others around them.
St Joseph
Did you know:
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St Joseph was chosen by God.
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He was a carpenter who taught Jesus all about carpentry.
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He was a husband, father and worker.
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The feast of St Joseph is celebrated every year on the 19th of March.
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It always falls during Lent.
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In Italy, Masses are held to celebrate this day, with people bringing food including bread crumbs which symbolises saw dust.
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In Spain, children cook meatless meals (because it is Lent) for their fathers on this day.
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St Joseph is the patron saint of the Universal Church, engineers, workers and expectant mothers.
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There are no words spoken by Joseph recorded in the Bible, but reference to him is often made, acknowledging his deep faith and commitment to God.
Learning Community Ngahere
My ‘ideal common home’ would have green emerging and thriving from numerous places of the world, cleaning the air, leaving a result of fresh and pure oxygen for us to breathe as well as endangered species populating and finding their place in the world. You would hear leaves rustling and birds cheerfully chirping while feeling a gentle wind brush your face. You would smell the salty breeze from the unpolluted sea while sea creatures blissfully glide around, living in harmony. You would taste flavourful fruit freshly picked from our uncut trees feeling happiness knowing that this is ‘our home’!
By Simone G.
Sports News
Rippa Rugby, Wednesday 17th of March –
North Counties Summer Sports Day
On Wednesday, students from Year 7 & 8 competed in the Year 7 / 8 Inter-school Summer Sports Day competition. We were well represented by our mixed rippa rugby team, who despite having little experience of playing together, did incredibly well in their respective pool. After one draw and four wins we were crowned 1st equal winners with Strathallan School. Personally ,I would like to commend our team of Trez B., Julian, Jahkobi, Linkin, Sam, DK, Tony, Georgina, Anastazia, Aeva, Barbrianna and Taimana. I was impressed by their team spirit and respect that they showed to each other and opposing teams on the day.
Mr. Brown – Sports Coordinator
Congratulations!
As a kura, we’re very lucky to have talented athletes amongst our student body. Congratulations to Linkin Karena, Jahkobi Leung Wai and King Tolutau who have been selected to compete at the National Tag tournament this weekend.
Each of these students has been selected to represent their own respective teams at different grades.
We wish them all the best!
Upcoming School Events
School Liturgy and Assembly – led by Learning Community Awa
Monday 22nd March 8:50am in Taamaua/School Hall
Northern Stars Netballers visiting
Monday 22nd March 9:00am in Taamaua/School Hall
Footsteps Dance programme – make up lessons for all classes
Tuesday 23rd March 9:00am -11:45am in Taamaua/school hall
Reconciliation Liturgy for Year 7/8 students with St Mary’s School Papakura
Tuesday 23rd March 10:30am @ St Mary’s School, Papakura
Papakura Community Service Dinner – VOLUNTEERS needed!
Tuesday 23rd March 5:30 -7:00pm Crossroads Methodist Church, Broadway, Papakura
PTFA AGM Meeting
Tuesday 23rd March 7:00pm in the school staffroom
Eye on Nature Trip – Learning Community Maunga
Wednesday 24th March 9:00am @ Auckland Botanic Gardens
Board of Trustees Monthly Meeting
Wednesday 24th March 6:00pm in the school staffroom
Mahi Tahi – Student/Parent/Teacher Conference Time
Thursday 25th March 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Footsteps Dance programme – continues for all classes
Friday 26th March 9:00am -11:45am in Taamaua/school hall
School Liturgy and Assembly – led by Mr Malele
Monday 29th March 8:50am in Taamaua/school hall
Footsteps Dance programme – make up lessons for all classes
Tuesday 30th March 9:00am -11:45am in Taamaua/school hall
Back to School Speed Campaign
Wednesday 31st March 8:00am – 9:30am on Airfield Road
Reconciliation Liturgy for Year 5/6 students
Wednesday 31st March 11:30am @ school
HOLY THURSDAY – STATIONS of the CROSS Liturgy
Thursday 1st April 1:30pm in Taamaua/school hall
GOOD FRIDAY – EASTER Holidays
Friday 2nd April – Tuesday 6th April SCHOOL CLOSED
Term 1 Concludes
Friday 16th April
Open Days
Cancellation of GALA – St Mary’s School, Papakura
To Parents, Caregivers & Friends of St Mary’s School,
The Gala Committee have reached the difficult decision that the Gala that was scheduled for the end of Term 1 will be cancelled. As part of our planning for this year, we included a clause that we would assess the situation around Covid-19 on the 1st of March, and make a decision at that point whether or not to proceed.
We looked into many aspects with regards to Covid-19, and feel the risk of more community cases, lockdowns and the financial pressure on families and business was just too great. Ultimately as we are currently in our second lockdown this year, we feel the risk to organize such a large event is too high. Covid-19 also put the Gala committee in an awkward position in seeking sponsorship which has been essential in our success over previous years, as small businesses have been hit hard over the past 12 months.
This decision was not made lightly, and we thank you for your support and consideration as we move forward. We hope to look at running some new exciting fundraising ventures this year with the PTFA committee and we hope you will be able to support us in doing so. The PTFA would love to see some new faces and hear how we as a committee could bolster our fundraising efforts in the absence of Gala.
Kind regards,
The Gala Committee
Upcoming Community Events
