Greetings, Kia ora, Kia orana, Talofa, Mālō e lelei, Namaste, Ni Hao, Bula, Hola, Kumusta, Namaskārām,
Sat Shri Akaal, Vanakkam and Ayubowan
Dear Families
We celebrated Support Staff Week this week! This special time of celebration is to especially ‘awhi/praise and acknowledge’ all of our Learning Assistants, Office Administration Staff and Mr Baker, our Caretaker for all the amazing work that they do in our school.
It is a privilege to work alongside our awesome colleagues, who have a deep care and concern for the children they work with AND for us, their colleagues who they support so readily in their various roles.
We extend GRATEFUL THANKS to our Learning Assistants … Venus Anand, Carolyn Harvey, Angela Aiesi, Thea Guadalupe, Rachel Farley, Tua Feagaiga, Ruth Leonidas, Kafoa Chute and Vivien Raega for all that they do to love and nurture our tamariki.
HUGE THANKS to our awesome Admin Team, Carmel Stewart and Jocelyn Ochoa who do a power of work behind the scenes (the big things and the little things that they do for us as staff, for the children and for the families) to ensure we are always fully operational and … humming!
To Mr Baker, Peter, our Caretaker, we are grateful for the huge amount of work that he undertakes to ensure our grounds /environments are well maintained and that all is ‘ready to go!’
THANK YOU SUPPORT STAFF – Ka mau te wehi – you are amazing!
Pope Leo XIV
Last week, we were so excited not only because we were celebrating Mothers’ Day with our beautiful Mums BUT because a new pope had just been elected by the cardinals in Rome, to lead our world-wide catholic community – Pope Leo XIV!
Pope Leo is American and Peruvian! He was born in Chicago in America and he worked for many, many years in Peru. Pope Leo speaks English, Italian and Spanish and Pope Leo is only 69 years old!
Pope Leo’s first words to the thousands of people who were gathered in St Peters Square at the Vatican were … “Peace be with you”
He gave the same greeting to everyone that God gives to us – “Peace be with you”
Pope Leo XIV talked about Pope Francis and how brave he was! He said how much God loves all of us and how we can walk together hand in hand with God, hand in hand with each other and build towards being one people and having peace for all!
Let’s continue to pray for our new Pope Leo XIV
Faithful God,
You guide us on the path of life
and your goodness is our constant companion.
Be with our new Shepherd, Pope Leo XIV,
in his service of the Church.
Fill him with the power of your Spirit,
the peace of your presence
and the compassion of Christ.
May he walk with you,
in wisdom and humility,
and lead us, together with all God’s people,
to embody your love for the world.
Amen.
NZ Catholic Schools Day Celebrations
Shine like stars in the world: E tīaho ana koe hei rama i te ao – this is the theme of 2025 NZ Catholic Schools Day!
Our Catholic schools are the outward sign of a long commitment from both the Church and parents of Catholic children in ‘helping form Christ in the lives of others’. Catholic Schools Day provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and showcase our unique identity to both our communities and our wider nation.
Pope Francis designated 2025 as the Church’s Year of Jubilee: Pilgrims of Hope, Manene o te Tūmanako giving voice to his desire for the year to foster:
• a greater sense of global sisterhood and brotherhood
• solidarity with the poor
• and caring for the environment
Christian hope, as with all virtues, comes from God and leads us to God. Christian hope offers us courage, light in the darkness, and sustains us with the truth that God leads us through difficult times on our hīkoi wairua to heaven.
Therefore, the Catholic school as a hope-filled Catholic community teaches and models that God’s desire and plan of love, justice and peace for humanity, and all of creation, will prevail. Christian hope must be expressed in our actions. It empowers us to live differently, requiring us to respond with pūaroha compassion, supporting each other, near and afar, in the difficult times, wanting the best for each other and creation.
Catholic schools, which live differently because of their lived faith, are emblems of hope, light in the darkness: they “shine like stars in the world.”
(source: nzceo resources – abridged)
DRS Report
Mothers Day Liturgy
Last Friday was a wonderful sight to behold, the packed hall with all our Holy Trinity mothers and mother figures who braved the rain and came to join us. It was a special liturgy in honour of all our mums and was led by children and staff of MacKillop Whānau. It was extra special when some of our mums went up and shared the deep joys of being a mum and told us that no other job in the world can really ever live up to the calling of being ‘mum’. Thank you to our brave Mums who spoke from their hearts to share with us all … Mrs Farley, Mrs Friis, Mrs Jay, Mrs Kaloni and Mrs Ermino. We hope that all our mums were spoilt on Sunday for Mothers Day!
Whole School Mass
On Wednesday, we had a special Mass led by the tamariki and kaitiaki of Pompallier whānau. We were reminded of God’s love for us all, a love that is all merciful, a love that is sacrificial and love that is rooted in service and humility. Father Mathew talked about St Matthias, who was chosen to replace Judas as one of Jesus’ apostles. He shared the symbolism behind the red vestments he was wearing, in honour of the Feast Day of St Matthias.
Catholic Schools Day and Communities of Learning Mass
We are very excited to celebrate New Zealand Catholic Schools Day coming up on Wednesday 28th May. On this day, our kaitiaki are planning fun filled activities that celebrate “who we are as a catholic school” with our learners working in their whānau groups and rotating to different learning communities throughout the day.
The theme for Catholic Schools Day this year is “You shine like stars in the world. E tīaho ana koe hei rama i te ao.”
On this day, our Year 6 learners will be attending the Community of Learning (CoL) Kāhui Ako Mass at Holy Cross Catholic Primary School in Papatoetoe. They will be joined by other senior students who are a part of our Catholic CoL. Together they will celebrate this special day with Father Chris Skinner.
Holy Trinity Feast Day Double Celebration!
This term, we are looking forward to our Feast Day celebrations. On Sunday 15th June, it’s the Feast Day of the Most Holy Trinity, in which our school will be leading our Parish Mass at St Mary’s Church in Papakura at 10:30am. We’ll be asking our school whānau to bring a plate of food to share after Mass, light finger food that we can share with the parishioners.
Prior to Trinity Sunday, we will have our own school Trinity Feast Day celebrations on Friday 13 June. We’ll have a special Trinity liturgy led by students and teachers of Aubert whānau at 9:15am in Taamaua/school hall. We’ll also have our annual Trinity’s Got Talent Competition in the afternoon where our students compete and showcase their different talents to our whānau.
We encourage all our school whānau to be a part of our double celebration for our Feast Day – here at school and with the wider community on Sunday 15 June.
Trinity’s Got Talent!
We are celebrating our Holy Trinity Feast Day on Friday 13th June! We will be ending our day with a performance that is sharing the gifts and talents of our children. This is our annual Trinity’s Got Talent Show in Taamaua/School Hall!
Please do encourage your child/children to participate in the Trinity’s Got Talent Show. Children can enter individually or as a group. They just need to share their proposed item with their teacher who will sign off the entry form and pop it in the box in the Office. We’re looking for performers who can sing, dance, play an instrument, juggle, tell jokes OR generally have lots of talent to share with us!
Looking forward to a truly special day on Friday 13th June as we celebrate being a Holy Trinity School!
Peer Ministry Team
We congratulate the following students who willingly put their hands up to begin their journey in peer ministry. A special ministry that they began their journey on last year when they participated in a Retreat at St Ignatius of Loyola College working alongside students from Sancta Maria Catholic College. Peer Ministry is a spiritual journey that deepens the students’ faith through prayer and reflection. As they begin this special journey we pray for our Peer Ministry leaders as they unpack and reflect on their own prayer life and personal spiritual journey.
Our Peer Ministry leaders are: Genesis Feagaiga, Mele Kaloni, Liam Clarito, Francheska Palisoc, Keira Vibal, Elsa Sajan, Mia Yandall George Kent, Eva Abin, Caitlin Atienza and Jane Tatui
Community 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.
Whānau Hui Monday 19th May 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Filipino Families Planning Meeting Wednesday 21st May 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Indian Families Gathering Friday 6th June 3.00pm – 4.30pm
Filipino Families Independence Day Celebrations Thursday 12th June 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Māori Whanau Hui
Nau mai, haere mai to our hui on Monday, 19th May!
We would love to see you there for a chance to catch up and work together to share ideas on how we can support your child or children at school.
With our Matariki breakfast celebration coming up and kapa haka starting later this term, it’s a great opportunity to have a kōrero about how we can celebrate these events in even better ways — together.
When: Monday, 19th May
Time: 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Where: Staffroom
Bring: Please bring a plate of food to share with everyone
We look forward to seeing you all on Monday. Our teachers and akonga have also planned some fun activities for the evening.
Pasifika Fono Update
Fa‘afetai tele lava – Thank You for Joining Our Pasifika Fono!
A big thank you to all our Pasifika families who joined us for our first Pasifika Fono. It was a wonderful evening to meet up and reconnect with everyone. Your ideas and feedback are so valuable and will help shape our next strategic plan to better support our Pasifika learners and whānau.
We’re especially excited to use your input to strengthen and celebrate our upcoming Pacific Language Weeks with pride and purpose. Mālō ‘aupito for your continued support!
Celebrating Language Weeks
Samoan Language Week coming up
Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa – Samoa Language Week: 1 – 7 June 2025
The 2025 theme for Samoa Language Week is ‘Ia malu lou sā. Folau i lagimā – A well-grounded self, is a successful self’.
This year’s Samoa Language Week theme reminds us that being prepared helps us stay strong. Just like a strong canoe is carefully built to travel safely across the sea, we can prepare ourselves with care so we’re ready to face life’s challenges. When we are well-grounded, we can keep going even when things get tough.
Rotuman Language week
Faiåkse’ea (thank you) to Mrs Kafoa Chute, Ms Chermayne Raega, Miss Vivien Raega, and Isaiah Raega for sharing stories and information about Rotuma with us. We enjoyed learning how to introduce ourselves and greet others in the Rotuman language. Your time and contributions helped us celebrate Rotuman Language Week in a meaningful way.
Teaching and Learning News
National Young Leaders Day
We are taking 15 of our Year 6 student leaders to the National Young Leaders Day to be held on Tuesday 27th May at Due Drop Events Centre. It is the largest and longest running leadership event for primary and intermediate school students. This annual event aims to develop student leadership through motivational speakers who share personal stories and experiences that inspire and empower students to be the best leader they can be.
A Fool’s Company Theatre Performance
This coming Monday 19th May, our students will be having a treat with an educational theatre performance by A Fool’s Company, in collaboration with EcoMatters Environment Trust and Auckland Council’s Waste Solutions Department, about the importance of ‘Recycling Right’. The performance is called ‘Savvy and the Stolen Recycling’ and it follows the story of Savvy the Pirate and Bertie the Seagull, who team up together to rescue the stolen recycling of Tāmaki Makaurau in a fun and action packed adventure. It is a comedic, interactive piece of educational theatre for primary school students, helping tamariki learn what we should and should not put into our recycling bins.
PTFA News …
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
PTFA DISCO – Friday 23rd May!
- Junior Session (Years 0 to 2) – 6pm to 7pm
- This session will be aimed at younger children with lights on and lower volume music
- Senior Session (Years 3 to 6) – 7pm to 8.30pm
- This session will be aimed at older children with lights off and disco music
We are looking forward to a great evening, dancing the night away – see you there!
Matariki Breakfast – Thursday 19th June!
Save the date as the PTFA are excited to announce that this year’s Matariki breakfast will be held on Thursday 19th June! You are welcome to join us at 6:30am for a hot Matariki breakfast to celebrate Matariki – Te Tau Hou Māori.- Breakfast at school at 6:30am – 8:00am for Holy Trinity whānau
- Sausages, french bread loaf, bread, baked beans, spaghetti, fruit platter
- Coffee, tea, milo, juice and water
- Matariki activities for the whole whānau to enjoy
- School parking will be available on the school field
HTCPS PTFA
Learning Community News
Learning Community Whenua
Whenua had an amazing start to the Term. Last Friday 2nd May, our tamariki had a wonderful outdoor education where they learned and worked around the Systems of Fire Safety. Students were ready in their PE gear and with excitement to cook their own sausage on fire. Learners got their individual sausages on a stick ready and marched to the fire pit that was set up behind the school. It was a proud moment to see all our tamariki following the System of Fire Safety that was discussed prior to the event. They walked slowly in the ‘Slow Zone’ and no one entered the ‘No Zone’. They even counted to 10 before turning to the other side of the sausage to cook it evenly following the recipe System. While some students cooked their sausages following the fire safety System, others learned and explored Systems around us such as using the harakeke and tried weaving a headband or a bracelet, a Nature Scavenger Hunt and completing a fire safety worksheet.
Children enjoyed cooking their own sausages and eating it too. We also had kumara cooked in fire. Those with dietary requirements had a veg patty or kumara.
Our parents too were fully involved by assisting and supervising learners cooking the sausages and with classroom activities. At the end, they cooked their own sausage on fire and enjoyed having it. A big Thank You to all those parents who could make time and be there to make this event safe and happy for our tamariki. Blessing to you all.
Learning Community Awa
Learning Community Awa had the most wonderful learning experience cooking sausages, patties and kumara over the fire. They were ecstatic to assemble their own sausage sandwiches and add flavourings like cheese and tomato sauce. They learnt not one, but three systems to sustain and nurture their Hauora well-being, including how to stay safe around fire, make their own sausage sandwiches and relate what they learnt to the five food categories.
In addition, they wrote specific prayers for Pope Francis, learnt about the priestly system to become a Pope, and are reciting the Litany in response to requests from Cardinal John Dew for the conclave and a new Pope. In order to aid them on their spiritual journey, they are also learning to say the Holy Rosary during the month of May.
Learning Community Ngahere
Learning Community Ngahere has had a great time following a recipe to make their own damper and cooking their cinnamon sugar dampers over the fire. They learnt that cooking is a system as there are many ingredients that need to work together to get their desired outcome. Learners put into practice their fire safety skills such as knowing the fire safety position to be safe around the fire and what to do in the ‘slow zone’ and ‘no go zone’ when working with the firepit. It was great to see the enthusiasm and excitement from LC Ngahere learners!
Learning Community Moana
LC Moana has also been focusing on hauora, particularly co-operation skills. We have been playing co-operative games to help us learn how to communicate, problem-solve, talk in encouraging ways, think of others, and mix with others we may not normally work with. This week the Year 5s played a few different games, including “Human Knot”, Group Storytelling, and “Shape It Out” (make a shape without talking). There were lots of laughs and shouts of success, plus some discussions around areas that can be worked on to make co-operation easier!
Sports News
North Counties Inter-school Netball
We have our Year 5/6 girls competing in a North Counties Netball Tournament to be held at Bruce Pulman Park on Wednesday 4th June with a save day of Friday 6th June. Special thanks to our parents who have put their hand up to coach and umpire the girls games on the day. Thank you to Mrs Larce Kippen and to Mr Thomas Watkins for ensuring our girls are prepared for the day.
Hauora/WellBeing News …
Hauora Inclusive Day
Some of our students will be attending the upcoming Hauora Inclusive “Have a Go” Day on Wednesday, 21st May at Bruce Pulman Arena.
This event is designed to support the well-being of all ākonga through inclusive play, physical activity, and by building positive relationships between students with disabilities, neurodiverse learners, and their peers.
Purpose of the Day:
- Enhance student hauora through fun and inclusive physical activities.
- Foster positive relationships through shared experiences.
- Upskill teachers and EAs in inclusive, adaptable activities for all learners.
- Provide hands-on opportunities to explore how we can better support all tamariki through play and physical activity.
Awhi Team Peer Mediation
It has been great to see tamariki using the services of the student Awhi Team when they are having conflict in the playground. The Awhi Team have noticed that their schoolmates are becoming more comfortable coming to them with issues; we now have children in other learning communities encouraging their classmates to trust in the Awhi Team. Ka pai tamariki!
Road Safety Week Highlights
This week, our school proudly took part in Road Safety Week, focusing on the theme of staying safe on and around our roads. Students enthusiastically participated in a colouring competition, showcasing important safety messages through creative artwork.
Our student leaders in charge of Road Safety Week also visited classrooms/LCs to share key messages about how everyone — whether walking, biking, or travelling in a car — plays a part in keeping our roads safe. Their confident presentations helped spread awareness across the school and encouraged safe habits for all.
It was a meaningful week of learning, creativity, and leadership. Well done to everyone who took part!
As part of our commitment to keeping every learner safe, we kindly remind all families to practise and promote safe road habits when travelling to and from school.
Always use designated drop-off and pick-up zones
Encourage children to use pedestrian crossings
Ensure seatbelts and booster seats are used correctly
Avoid U-turns or double-parking outside the school gate
Be alert, slow down, and watch for children at all times
Together, we can build a safe environment for every student. Let’s lead by example and help our tamariki develop smart, safe habits for life!
Pink Shirt Day 2025
The ‘Pink Shirt Day’ Campaign – To SPEAK UP, STAND TOGETHER, STOP BULLYING – Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora was celebrated this Friday 16th May. The campaign is led by the NZ Mental Health Foundation and the shared message to all is … “to spread aroha and kindness and to end bullying by celebrating diversity and by promoting kindness and inclusion”.
At Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School we are committed to providing a physically and emotionally safe place that is free from bullying and harassment for students, staff, and our wider school community. We always endeavour to take all reasonable steps to eliminate bullying and harassment within our school and to respond effectively to concerns and complaints, and/or incidents. We want our children and our families to ‘speak up’ and let us know when there are incidents of disagreement, upsets and at times bullying especially when someone is physically, verbally or emotionally hurt. We want to ‘stand together’ with our children and our families and our staff to say “stop bullying!”
We are guided by our catholic faith in living the Gospel values of unity, respect, compassion, resilience, integrity and excellence – our school’s Gospel values! In living out these school Gospel values, in particular, we need to see the practices of restorative justice, forgiveness, reconciliation, mercy and respect being evident in the way we ‘speak up’, ‘stand together’ and ‘stop bullying’.
Homestay Opportunity!
St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College is looking for loving homestay families for x 40 Japanese children arriving in early August for a two week stay. Please see the poster for further information.
Reminders!
Attendance Dues Payments
Attendance Dues need to be paid for Term 2 2025.
Please note that there are 3 options for payment of the Attendance Dues and Catholic Special Character Contribution
- Full amount paid by Internet Banking to ASB school account – details for payment are on the statement.
- Automatic Payment to be set up via internet banking to ASB school account
- Payment can be made at the school office – cash or Eftpos
Many of our families choose the AP (Automatic Payment) option to make a small payment each week or fortnight which helps families to manage their financial budget for the year. This is a very good option and one that is encouraged by our school. For those families paying by Automatic Payment (AP), please note that 2025 payments must all be completed by 1st December 2025.
Please see Carmel Stewart (Office Administrator) or Peta Lindstrom (Principal) in the strictest confidence if you have any concerns or questions regarding the payment of Attendance Dues.
Financial Assistance is available for payment of Attendance Dues.
Managing our School Roll
Holy Trinity is now “managing” our school roll for 2025. Some of our learning spaces and year levels are now at full capacity for the year. This includes students who are already pre-enrolled for the 2025 year. The lack of further buildings/learning community spaces means we are in a position of having to manage school enrolments for new inquiries. Families are welcome to place their child on the preference waiting list for 2026 – this does not guarantee a placement for 2026 as we will only be able to accept siblings as a first priority.Upcoming School Events
Student Whānau Time
Monday 19th May 9:30am-10:30am
A Fool’s Company Theatre Performance
Monday 19th May
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/planning 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
School Gathering Liturgy and Assembly – led by Mrs Davies (LC Maunga) and Mrs Malgas (LC Awa)
Monday 26th May @ 8:50am in Taamaua/school hall
National Young Leaders Day NYLD – senior students
Tuesday 27th May @ Due Drop Events Centre, Manukau
PTFA (Parent, Teachers and Friends Association) Monthly Meeting
Tuesday 27th May @ 7:00pm in the school staffroom
NZ Catholic Schools Day Celebrations
Wednesday 28th May
South Auckland Catholic Schools Kāhui Ako Mass for Year 6 senior students
Wednesday 28th May 9:30am @ Holy Cross Catholic School, Papatoetoe
School Board Monthly Meeting
Wednesday 28th May @ 7:00pm in the school staffroom
Gymnastics/Fundamental Skills Lessons for Year 5 (10am-11am) and Year 6 (11am-12:00)
Thursday 29th May @ Bruce Pulman Park Recreation Centre
Cool Schools Network Meeting
Thursday 29th May @ 1:00pm in Taamaua/school hall
King’s Birthday PUBLIC HOLIDAY – school closed
Monday 2nd June
SAMOAN Language Week
Commences Monday 2nd June
Interschool Netball Competition
Wednesday 4th June @ Bruce Pulman Park
Gymnastics/Fundamental Skills Lessons for Year 5 (10am-11am) and Year 6 (11am-12:00)
Thursday 5th June @ Bruce Pulman Park Recreation Centre
Indian Families Gathering – shared afternoon tea/community meeting
Friday 6th June 3:00pm-4:30pm in Learning Community Awa
School Gathering Liturgy and Assembly – led by Ms Gill (LC Moana) and Ms Chua (LC Whenua)
Monday 9th June @ 8:50am in Taamaua/school hall
Gymnastics/Fundamental Skills Lessons for Year 5 (10am-11am) and Year 6 (11am-12:00)
Wednesday 11th June @ Bruce Pulman Park Recreation Centre
Filipino Families Gathering – shared meal/Independence Day celebrations
Thursday 12th June 5:30pm-7:30pm in Taamaua/school hall
Holy Trinity Feast Day Celebrations
Friday 13th June
The Most Holy Trinity Feast Day Parish/School Mass Celebrations
Sunday 15th June @ 10:30am at St Mary’s Papakura Church
PTFA Matariki Breakfast for HTCPS school community
Thursday 19th June 6:30am – 8:30am in Taamaua/school hall
Term 2 Concludes
Friday 27th June 2:50pm
Term 3 Commences
Monday 14th July 8:50am
Upcoming Community Events
Safer pedestrian access to Takaanini and Te Mahia stations is coming
Kia ora
This Auckland Transport project is to improve pedestrian access to train stations in the south.
For safer and more reliable journeys, the pedestrian level crossings at both Te Mahia and Takaanini stations will be permanently removed, and new, fully accessible pedestrian bridges will be built.
Auckland Transport is seeking feedback on proposed pedestrian bridge designs until 30 May.
| Have your say on the proposed pedestrian bridge designs |
This is not part of the Takaanini Level Crossings Project which includes removing vehicle level crossings and building overbridges.
Following the government announcement about funding for implementation Auckland Transport is working on a plan for that will bring forward construction earlier than the previously anticipated 10-15 years. There will be an update once this planning has been completed.
More information about the Takaanini Level Crossings Project
Thank you
Level Crossings Removal Programme
