Greetings, Kia ora, Kia orana, Talofa, Mālō e lelei, Namaste, Ni Hao, Bula, Hola, Kumusta, Namaskārām,
Sat Shri Akaal, Vanakkam and Ayubowan
Dear Families
Welcome to a very busy and active Term 2! This term is only x 9 school weeks so we know it is going to be jammed full of exiting school learning, loving and serving activities.
We were delighted to be able to welcome further new families, new students and new staff to our school community on Monday. It is an honour to be able to extend a warm welcome, a genuine invitation to be members of Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School and to offer hospitality and inclusiveness through a rousing school whakatau performed by our students and staff. Let us all reach out to our new families and new staff to show and share the Holy Trinity charism of relationship, unity and love through learning ka ako, loving ka aroha and serving ka manaaki in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit!
A busy term ahead …
Term 2 is proving to be a very busy term full of school events, parish events, activities and learning experiences. Please keep a close eye on all of the HERO notifications as we invite you, our families, to participate in the exciting events of this term … Mothers Day Liturgy, Holy Trinity Feast Day, Parish/School Mass on Trinity Sunday, NZ Catholic Schools Day, Rotuma Language Week, Samoan Language Week, Year 5/6 Gymnastics Skills programmes, Outdoor Education programmes, PTFA Matariki Breakfast and PTFA Disco Night, sports events and much much more!
Litany of Saints – Praying for a New Pope
The NZCBC has prepared a Litany of the Saints to use before and during the “conclave” to support the participating cardinals. The idea came from a conversation with Cardinal John Dew over the weekend. While there are many litanies available online, we have created a local one that incorporates te reo, English and Latin, and contains a number of saints relevant to the Church in our part of the world.
We are hopeful that many individuals, families, classes, communities and parishes will pray the litany.
FINAL Litany of the Saints Conclave (2)
Cardinal John has recorded a short video from Rome inviting people to pray a litany of the saints. It has been posted to the NZCBC Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/
Catholic Special Character School Review
On Wednesday 7th May, we will welcome Christine Smith and Viki Trainor from the Catholic Education Services Team in the Catholic Diocese of Auckland Office who will be with us for two days as reviewers for our school’s Catholic Special Character Evaluation for Development Review. The purpose of the Catholic Special Character Evaluation process is to examine the effect of what is being done to safeguard and strengthen Catholic Special Character at our school. It also provides assurance to the proprietor/Bishop Steve Lowe and to our community that Holy Trinity School is authentically Catholic and we are meeting the goals of Catholic education.
There will be opportunities for our Board, our PTFA, a parent group, our staff and our students to have time meeting and sharing with our reviewers. Respective surveys have also been shared with the relevant groups for their feedback and reflections which the reviewers will use to collate and process information from.
We are looking forward to Christine and Viki being with us and warmly welcome them to our Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School community for the 2 days of our review – Wednesday 7th May and Thursday 8th May, Term 2.
DRS Report
Mothers Day Liturgy
Next Friday 9th May at 1:30pm in Taamaua/school hall, our learners and kaitiaki from MacKillop Whānau will be leading a special thanksgiving liturgy for all our wonderful mothers and mother figures in our lives! We are inviting all our school whānau to come along and celebrate with us as we take this opportunity to show our mothers how much we love and appreciate them. We look forward to seeing you there.
Whole School Mass
On Wednesday 14th May, we will be celebrating our beginning of Term 2 Mass in Taamaua/school hall with Father Mathew Vadakkevettuvazhiyil of St Mary’s Parish, Papakura. Learners and kaitiaki from Pompallier Whānau will be leading this Mass as we commence another busy term. We invite and welcome all our Holy Trinity whānau and friends to come and celebrate Mass with us.
Sacrament News
Thanks be to God for the wonderful faith journey that some of our learners are journeying on with the Sacraments.
Congratulations to Charlotte Ruegg and Juliana Diquit who were received into the Church on Easter Sunday. We also congratulate Alexandra Walker who will be receiving the Sacrament of Baptism on Mothers Day Sunday.
Tonight, we also have some learners who will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Mary’s Parish in Papakura. As they receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we continue to pray for them as they enter a special time in their faith journey. We will also celebrate with them as they journey towards receiving their First Holy Communion.
Eva Abin, Elaina Abin, Kavin Adovas, Amara Antona, Zoey Balute, Sophia Beza, Kristoff Calongcagon, Mikayla Chand, Cian Costello, Daniel Thorpe, Khloe Kippen, Onofre Concepcion, Genesis Feagaiga, Anthony Feagaiga, George Kent, Elron Licera, Brandon Palisoc, Francheska Palisoc, Conner Pasia, Ziv Rojano, Charlotte Ruegg, Nathan Santos, Victoria Vredenburg, Rafael Yuson, Carter Harris, Roberto Naskovski, Raksha Rexon, Yannis Borja Sarmiento, Clover Soo Choon, Lawlor Soo Choon, Alexandra Urgena and Lavin Fox.
Parish Bulletins
Please click on the links to access this week’s Parish Bulletins – St Anne’s Parish Manurewa Bulletin #18 – Sunday 4th May 2025 and St Mary’s Parish Papakura 4th May 2025
St Mary’s Parish ALPHA Programme
Interested people are invited to participate in the St Mary’s Parish, Papakura Alpha programme. Sessions will be held on Wednesdays at 6:45pm at St Mary’s School, Papakura (54 Clark Road).Staff/Teacher ONLY DAY
As notified in our Term 1 school newsletter … School will be closed for students on Friday 16th May – Term 2
Teachers and Support Staff will be involved in a professional development and learning day about the newly released New Zealand Curriculum Refresh, Mathematics and Statistics Learning Area. This is a Ministry of Education approved Staff /Teacher Only Day. We received notification of approval for this Staff/Teacher Only Day at the end of Term 1.
This day will provide our school with a dedicated time to understand, prepare and engage with changes across The Mathematics and Statistics curriculum. This is our second staff/teacher only day for the year. It is an opportunity for all of our kaitiaki to share ideas and expertise and to grow in our confidence in implementing the upcoming curriculum and assessment changes.
Please make alternative arrangements for your child/ren for Friday 16th May.
sKids will be open for the day to accommodate our families whose children require supervision. Parents can secure a spot for their child by visiting our website: holytrinity@skids.co.nzCommunity Meetings / Hui This Term
We warmly welcome our school whānau to connect with us during this term. Throughout the coming weeks, we will be holding a series of hui and meetings where we invite you to share your thoughts, hopes, and ideas. Your voice matters, and it helps guide how we grow and support all our tamariki.
This term is also a time of celebration. Together, we will honour the identity, culture, and language of our diverse communities through Language Weeks and other shared events.
We would love to plan and celebrate these moments with you, and welcome your ideas for activities, stories, and ways of bringing language and culture to life in our kura.
Ngā mihi nui – we look forward to seeing you soon.
Pasifika Fono Monday, May 12 5.30pm -7.30pm
Whānau Hui Monday, May 19 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Indian Families Gathering Friday June 6 3.00pm – 4.30pm
Filipino Families Gathering Thursday 12 June 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta –
Rotuma Language Week
11–17 May 2025
We are proud to celebrate Rotuma Language Week alongside our Rotuman families and community. This special week is an opportunity for all of us to honour and learn about the rich language and culture of Rotuma.
The 2025 theme is:
Åf’ạkia ma rak’ạkia ‘os fäega ma ag fak Rotuma – tēfakhanisit Gagaja nā se ‘äe ma gou
Treasure & Teach Our Rotuman Language and Culture – A Gift given to you and I by God.
Please check our Hero notices throughout the week for updates, activities, and ways your whānau can get involved.
Faiåkse’ea (thank you) for celebrating with us!
Teaching and Learning News
Concept Learning: Systems
This term, our concept learning focus is Systems. We want our students to understand that systems are an essential part of our world. By learning about systems, students can make informed choices that help to serve and sustain our common home—God’s creation.
We’ve been fortunate to receive many fantastic examples of systems through the home learning tasks. These contributions have supported rich discussions and reflections.
As part of their learning, students will be exploring and investigating systems that inspire others to encounter Christ and seek ways to serve and sustain our common home.
To guide their thinking, students will reflect on these essential questions:
- What are systems?
- How do systems affect our common home?
- Why seek ways to sustain systems that serve and nurture our common home?
HTCPS Home Learning site 
Ngā mihi nui to all our wonderful families who completed the home learning activities!
The effort put into creating posters and artwork to share systems from home has been amazing. Our tamariki are excited to showcase their learning with their peers and kaitiaki.
Haven’t finished yet?
It’s not too late! Bring your work to school next week. It will help deepen your child’s understanding and knowledge of systems as we continue exploring this learning focus together.
PTFA News
Thanks once again to our amazing PTFA team and sponsors for the great success of the Term 1 Math-a-thon. Together as a community, we raised over $10,000. This fundraising is going towards our students adventure playground development project!
1st Place: Aubert Whānau – $3,780 raised and will have a Movie afternoon with ice cream and popcorn
2nd Place: Pompallier Whānau – $3,420 raised and will have a Pizza lunch
3rd Place: Patrick Dunn Whānau – $2,145 raised and will have an ice-block
4th Place: MacKillop Whānau – $1,930 raised and will will have an ice-block
Second Hand Uniform Shop …
You can find us upstairs in Taamaua (the school hall) with a range of uniform pieces for sale.
We have limited stock of a few items (polar fleece jumpers & hats) so if you’d like to donate any items, you’re welcome to bring those along as well or drop them into the office during school hours. Also, if you have any spare coat hangers you would like to donate, we could do with a few extras.
PTFA Term 2 Events and Activities …
- HTCPS Disco (Friday 23rd May)
- Our HTCPS children will dance the night away with a disco in the school hall from 6pm to 8.30pm (2 sessions)
- Subway Lunch (Friday 13th June)
- Yummy Subway lunch for our HTCPS children to enjoy!
- Matariki Breakfast (Thursday 19th June)
- Celebrate the Maori New Year with a Matariki breakfast provided by the PTFA from 6.30am
- Pie & Cookie Fundraiser (Tuesday 24th June)
- Your family and friends will have the option to order some Cookie Time cookies and Oxford Pies through our fundraiser to lead into the winter months!
Chairperson
Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School
Parent, Teacher & Friends Association
Hauora/WellBeing News
Awhi Team – Peer Mediation Team
Hello families
Duffy Books in Homes News …
Right now our learners are in the process of picking their two free books for this term. This term’s books are paid for by the Ministry of Education, so there’s no cost for our school to cover. The learners will receive their books later this term.School Organisation
Whānau Time/Cultural Groups Time
Currently, whānau time takes place every fortnight on Mondays. During this time, we gather in our whānau groups to learn about our whānau patrons and charism. It’s a special opportunity for tuakana-teina, where senior students support and build relationships with younger students.
In a few weeks, this will change as we shift our focus to cultural groups. Students will begin practising songs and dances etc in preparation for our school’s cultural performance, planned for the end of Term 3.
Please keep an eye on Hero for more information.
Student Achievement Congratulations!
Congratulations to … Alicia and Zeke Soriano!
The Taekwon-do club PMP Papakura hosted a competition for 12 and under on Sunday (13-April) in Rosehill College “First PeeWee Tournament 2025” there were students from all over Auckland and Hamilton competing.
Alicia and Zeke competed in four events: Fundamental patterns, Sparring, Power and Specialty High Kick.
Alicia won a gold medal in all four events and Zeke won 2 gold medals (Sparring and Specialty High Kick) and 2 bronze medals (Power and Fundamental Pattern).
Overall result: Alicia came first with Zeke coming third (and only second to his sister in their belt category!).
This is such wonderful news and a fantastic achievement at such a high level. Well Done Alicia and Zeke – you are achieving excellence/hiranga and we are so incredibly proud of you. Thank you for sharing this happy news with us. Ka mau te wehi – you are amazing!
Congratulations to … Mehtab Singh!
At the end of last term, we received fantastic news about Mehtab Singh’s incredible achievement in winning the Auckland wide Mathematics Wizard Competition for all students in Auckland Schools. Mehtab won the Year 5 competition!2025 School Dates
The School Board has approved the school term dates for 2025 as:
Term One 10 weeks Monday 3rd February – Friday 11th April
Term Two 9 weeks Monday 28th April – Friday 27th June
Term Three 10 weeks Monday 14th July – Friday 19th September
Term Four 10 weeks Monday 6th October – Tuesday 16th December
2025 PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
Traffic Safety!
Thank you to our school families for their care in entering and leaving the school when coming to drop off and/or pick up their children. The safety of everyone is a top priority and the procedures we have in place are working well and have received high praise from our School Community Officer- Senior Constable, Lisa Ross.
Please take note of the reminder notification below …
Important Parking Reminder “ Keeping Our Students Safe”
Overall, our school community does a fantastic job with parking, and we appreciate everyone’s efforts in keeping things running smoothly. However, we kindly remind all parents and caregivers to park safely and legally around the school and surrounding streets. Parking on footpaths, across driveways, and on unbroken yellow lines is unsafe for our students and puts them at risk. Our priority is making sure everyone gets home safely.
From time to time, you will see the Police stationed at the front and back gate, monitoring parking and ensuring compliance. From now on, stationary infringement notices will be issued by Police to those who park in restricted areas. The consequence for parking illegally is a fine.
We understand that pickup and drop-off times can be busy and sometimes frustrating, but please be patient and kind to each other. Let’s all do our part to keep our school a safe and considerate space for everyone.
Thanks for your cooperation!
Reminders!
School Winter Uniform
Students are expected to wear the correct winter school uniform in Term 2. This includes the long sleeved blouse or shirt or short sleeved blouse or shirt, school stripe/ navy knee high socks and black closed shoes. Please name all items of clothing so that they can be returned to the children immediately when found.
Our School uniform is only available for purchase from NZ Uniforms on 5/20 Lambie Drive, Manukau.
All students are required to wear the correct school uniform for winter as listed below. NZ Uniforms have school jerseys available to purchase. Our preference is for students to wear their school jumper/school fleece inside the learning community and school jackets outdoors.
Girls Uniform
Tartan skort
Blue long sleeved monogrammed blouse (winter)
Black closed shoes (winter)
School stripe / navy knee high socks
Navy bucket sun-hat monogrammed
Navy wollen monogrammed school jumper OR Navy monogrammed fleece
School jacket
Boys Uniform
Navy shorts
Blue long sleeved monogrammed shirt (winter)
School stripe / navy knee high socks
Navy bucket sun-hat monogrammed
Navy woollen monogrammed school jumper OR Navy monogrammed fleece
School jacket
Student Attendance
The Boards and schools are requested by the Ministry of Education to have an “intervention tier” in place so that student attendance is monitored, tracked and intervention strategies are put in place quickly and efficiently to ensure high rates of school attendance for every child.
For Holy Trinity School, our student attendance concern is with the large number of children who are regularly arriving late to school after the 8:50am bell and/or are leaving school early in the afternoon. As the first intervention tier for our school, we will be monitoring student lateness and will be communicating promptly with those families where there is regular lateness – special circumstances permitting.
The school gates open from 8:30am with school commencing at 8:50am. The school day concludes at 2:50pm.
We are asking parents to refrain from requesting early afternoon finishing time for their child/ren unless it is necessary or a special circumstance. If you need to collect your child early from school then you must notify school the day before where practicable.
Please do not be offended if we say “no” to your child leaving school before the end of the school day if you do not have a legitimate reason. We are abiding by the Ministry of Education guidelines.
We are confident that by working together and respecting the school bell times, we can ensure our children have the best possible opportunity for their learning!
If families are requesting leave of absence for students during term time, please make sure this request is in writing to the principal before the period of holiday time. The Ministry of Education does not condone student absences for ‘holidays’ during term time e.g. travel within New Zealand or travel overseas. If your child is on holiday then their absence is noted as unjustified. Our school student attendance records are monitored weekly by the Ministry of Education.
Upcoming School Events
Student Whānau Time
Monday 5th May 9:30am-10:30am
Catholic Special Character Evaluation Review – Reviewers on site
Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th May
Fr Mathew Visiting Learning Communities
Wednesday 7th May 10:00 – 11:30am
Gymnastics/Fundamental Skills Lessons for Year 5 (10am-11am) and Year 6 (11am-12:00)
Thursday 8th May @ Bruce Pulman Park Recreation Centre
Mothers Day Liturgy
Friday 9th May 1:45pm in Taamaua/school hall
School Gathering Liturgy and Assembly – led by Mrs Griffiths (LC Moana) and Miss Anacleto (LC Awa)
Monday 12th May 8:50am
Rotuma Language Week
Monday 12th – Friday 16th May
Pasifika Fono – shared meal/community meeting
Monday 12th May 5;30pm-7:30pm in Taamaua/school hall
PTFA Math-a-thon Whānau Prizes Celebration
Tuesday 13th May
Whole School Beginning of the Term Mass – Fr Mathew celebrating
Wednesday 14th May 9:30am in Taamaua/school hall
Gymnastics/Fundamental Skills Lessons for Year 5 (10am-11am) and Year 6 (11am-12:00)
Thursday 15th May @ Bruce Pulman Park Recreation Centre
Support Staff Day of Celebration
Friday 16th May
Staff/Teacher Only Day – school closed for students
Friday 16th May
Cultural Groups Time
Monday 19th May 9:30am-10:30am
Māori Whānau Hui – shared meal/community meeting
Monday 19th May 5:30pm-7:30pm in Taamaua/school hall
Hauora Inclusion Day
Wednesday 21st May @ Bruce Pulman Park
Filipino Families Gathering – shared meal/community meeting
Wednesday 21st May 5:30pm-7:30pm in Taamaua/school hall
Gymnastics/Fundamental Skills Lessons for Year 5 (10am-11am) and Year 6 (11am-12:00)
Thursday 22nd May @ Bruce Pulman Park Recreation Centre
PTFA SCHOOL DISCO
Friday 23rd May 6:00pm – 8:30pm in Taamaua/school hall
Indian Families Gathering – shared afternoon tea/community meeting
Friday 6th June 3:00pm-4:30pm in Learning Community Awa
Filipino Families Gathering – shared meal/community meeting
Thursday 12th June 5:30pm-7:30pm in Taamaua/school hall
Term 2 Concludes
Friday 27th June 2:50pm
Term 3 Commences
Monday 14th July 8:50am
