Greetings, Kia ora, Kia orana, Talofa, Mālō e lelei, Namaste, Ni Hao, Bula, Hola, Kumusta, Namaskārām,
Sat Shri Akaal, Vanakkam and Ayubowan
Dear Families
Once again, we have raced through another term of busy school life and now find ourselves ready for the July School holidays!
So as we go on holiday, we pause to give thanks to God for all that has been achieved as a school community.
We give thanks to God for our staff and the dedication they show in working with each child as they grow in their learning and personal development.
We give thanks to God for our children who take on the opportunities and challenges of school life with willingness and positive attitudes.
We give thanks to God for our families/whānau who continue to support their child and school in the many shared activities and events.
AND we give thanks to God for all those who lead and support our school through governance (School Board), prayer and spiritual life (our Parish Priest), fundraising and social events (PTFA).
May we all be blessed for the work we do to nurture and grow this special school community in learning ka ako, loving ka aroha and serving ka manaaki in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Celebrating First Communion!
When we gather as a church or school family to receive the Body of Christ, we show that we are united as the Body of Christ. When we share with our neighbour, we become sisters and brothers in Jesus, and bring his life and love into the world. The Eucharist is a sacrament of love and a sign of unity. The word communion reminds us of union and community. We celebrate our union with Christ and our community with people locally and globally.
And this coming weekend, we especially pray for our Holy Trinity students who will be making their First Holy Communion – may they be nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ and filled with the grace of Jesus as the receive this holy sacrament.
O my God, help me to make a good Communion. Mary, my dearest mother, pray to Jesus for me. My dear angel guardian, lead me to the altar of God!
Matariki Thanks!
How wonderful to gather as a school faith community last Thursday morning to celebrate Te Tau Hou Māori – Matariki together!!! We commenced with Karakia and then shared breakfast with our whānau before participating in the Matariki learning activities. The tikanga of Matariki is a time for whānau. As we prayed together, the dawn rose through the darkness, and we remembered and prayed for our whānau and ancestors who are no longer with us, we prayed in thanksgiving for all we have now in the present and for this time of renewal.
This special time for Holy Trinity whānau allowed us to celebrate Matariki as a time that unites us as community, connecting in friendship and sharing in gratitude and respect for the gifts of God’s creation!
Thank you to our wonderful PTFA team and Board members for sharing manaakitanga through the gift of hospitality, kai, korero and kotahitanga – unity!
From the School Board …
To begin with we would like to thank all of you for the fantastic support which you have given to the school throughout Term 2. Your support of our cultural evenings and huis, sporting events and most recently the Matariki celebrations has been outstanding. We particularly celebrate the ongoing support of our PTFA, who are doing incredible work for the school, and whose ‘Matariki Breakfast’ was much enjoyed by all!
School Board Elections
As you will be aware, this year will see the triennial elections of the School Board, with the election day being 10 September 2025.
As we end Term 3 these are rapidly approaching!
We will have some vacancies on the Board, as some of our members will be stepping down after a good number of years dedicated service. You might like to give this ministry your consideration. Being on the Board is a wonderful way to become involved in the life of your children’s school and their education. It is a commitment and a very rewarding one, where Board members have the opportunity to live out our school’s vision- “Learn, Love and Serve in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”
If you would like to know more about what being a Board member involves, we are more than happy to talk with you.
School Parking on Kapowai Boulevard
As you will no doubt be aware, with the information included in recent school newsletters, parking on Kapowai Boulevard has been an ongoing issue. While we encourage our parents to make use of the back gate in the mornings for drop-offs, and in the afternoon for pickups, we ask for all community members to respect the marked no parking areas and show patience with other road users.
In particular we would ask parents to be mindful of avoiding parking at the end of Kapowai Boulevard, or in the turning bay, as these are essential areas for all road users. Please also be especially careful when passing the parked vehicles, both for crossing children, and for vehicles moving in the opposite direction.
On behalf of the School Board …
Thank you again to our parents/caregivers, whānau and friends of the school, for your on-going support, as together we work in the best interests of our children’s education.
Blessings to you all.
Jason Farley
Presiding Member
Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School Board
DRS Report
YCC Day
Today, we joined other Catholic schools across the motu/NZ as we stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers at St Leo Secondary School in Kiribati. Today, we had our YCC Day with the theme of ‘Pyjamas’. Our tamariki and staff came to school wearing their favourite onesie and pyjamas and together, our gold coin donation came to a total of $274. All proceeds will go to Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand in support of St Leo Secondary School in Kiribati as they embark on a journey to build proper classrooms for their students. Thank you to all our whānau for your generous donations.
First Holy Communion
This Sunday 29 June, some of our students who are a part of the Sacramental Programme at St Mary’s Parish, Papakura will be receiving the Sacrament of Eucharist – their First Holy Communion. The Sacrament of Eucharist is one of the 7 Sacraments of the Catholic Church. As they are nourished with the Body and Blood of Christ, may the faith journey of our tamariki deepen their love of God.
Congratulations to: 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.
Altar Servers Training at St Anne’s Parish, Manurewa
For all our whānau who are parishioners of St Anne’s Manurewa, St Anne’s Parish will be running a training day for all old and new altar servers who want to serve at Mass. This will be on Sunday 13th of July 11.30AM to 4.00PM. If your child has received all the Sacraments, they are welcome to sign up!
Parish Bulletins
Please click on the links to access this weekend’s Parish Bulletins … St Mary’s Parish Papakura 29th June 2025 and St Anne’s Parish, Manurewa Bulletin #26 – Sunday 29th June 2025
Caritas Challenge Day – Learning Community Moana
On Wednesday, we held our Caritas Challenge Day. Justine from Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand joined us and taught us a lot about Caritas and the Catholic Social Teachings.
We then moved into activities to help us learn more about participation, solidarity, empathy, and perspective. Through experiences like having to go through an obstacle course to buy essential items, calculating how much water we use, and running in our water relay, our learners had the opportunity to understand how we are so lucky in New Zealand that a basic resource like water is clean and easily accessible.
The tamariki ended the day appreciating the fact that they don’t need to choose between going to school or having to spend hours to get a bucket of water for their daily needs.
Thank you to our whānau who came to cheer our Year 5 and 6 learners on, and a huge thank you to those who have helped us fundraise for Caritas by making a donation. It’s not too late to donate – just go to https://www.caritas.org.nz/donate-caritas-challenge and enter the code 1552408 in the comments field.
Reflections from our students …
Yesterday, I participated in the Caritas Challenge Day. I learned that the Caritas meaning is love or compassion, and that the CST’s are connected to Caritas. When we did the water relay, my team decided to create a system by saying who will go first and which item to use. Our system worked well because we had a good amount of water at the end even though we didn’t win. It’s all about the journey. I showed solidarity and empathy because my team collaborated to make different strategies to gather water in the other bucket. Now I will shower for a shorter time so I don’t waste as much water, and I will also show more gratitude when I am using water. – Lacey
Yesterday I participated in the Caritas Challenge Day. I learned that Caritas means love and compassion, and about the Catholic Social Teachings. When my team did the water relay, my team decided to make a system which when someone gets tired we will chant and make sure we say good things to them. Our system worked well because we were able to run quickly, but sometimes we lost water when we used the pipe tool. I showed empathy when I thought of others, not just myself. I showed participation when I didn’t just stay back and do nothing, but when I ran with water. Now that I know water is important, I will make sure not to waste it. – Mehtab
We are very proud of their efforts, and we can’t wait to do the Caritas Challenge (hopefully) next year!
And a note from Justine, Caritas in Schools Facilitator …
I just wanted to extend a huge thanks to each of you for welcoming me into your beautiful school yesterday and to acknowledge the incredible work you put into yesterday’s Caritas Challenge – Move It event.
What a powerful opportunity you created for your students – to learn and also to stand in real solidarity with those who live without access to clean and running water. The day was not only fun and engaging, but also a rich learning experience that allowed your students to put their classroom learning into practice and live out their faith in action.
It was such a blessing to be part of something so special. Your efforts clearly reflected a strong commitment to fostering a learning culture rooted in faith, love, and service. As a visitor, it was obvious that these values are alive and well in your community – what a beautiful thing to witness!
Term 2 Digital Online Student Progress and Achievement Reporting
Term 2 HERO online student progress and achievement reporting was published this week providing a snapshot for families of where their child/children are working at in relation to the expected curriculum year levels.
This year, for all schools, there has been changes to the NZ Curriculum from 2 year level bands (Level 1 = Year 1&2/Level 2 = Year 3&4/Level 3 = Year 5&6
TO year level curriculum e.g. Year 0/Year 1/Year 2/Year 3/Year 4/Year 5/Year 6.
If your child is in Year 3 then they are expected to be working within the Year 3 curriculum. If your child is in Year 5 then they are expected to be working within the Year 5 curriculum. However, some students may be working and achieving either above or below their expected curriculum year level.
On HERO, click on the “2025 Report” tab and you will see the children’s current achievement in relation to the expected year level curriculum. You will see 2 statements:
- the expected level of achievement
- your child’s achievement in relation to the expected level
You will also see NEW graphs of progress with x 1 black dot. Hover over this dot to see how your child is progressing – it will say either: beginning/progressing/advanced at a year level.
Our SLT has been working closely with the HERO team (Student Management System) to provide up to date mid-year reporting for students’ progress and achievement to share with our families. We can only work within the configuration of the new HERO system SO it is important that you do not compare graphs from previous years but focus on understanding the graph and statements in relation to the new curriculum levels. The previous graphs are now archived as they no longer reflect the refreshed NZ curriculum.
Below are some examples to help guide you:
Reading Progress
The current expectation for ***** is: Beginning Year 5.
***** is currently working AT expectation at ADVANCED Year 5 (AT = Working at ADVANCED Year 5 level)
Reading Progress
The current expectation for ***** is: Beginning Year 5
***** is currently working TOWARDS expectation at Progressing Year 4 (TOWARDS = Working BELOW Year 5 level)
Writing Progress
The current expectation for ***** is: Beginning Year 5.
***** is currently working AT expectation at Progressing Year 5 (AT = Working at PROGRESSING Year 5 level)
Mathematics and Statistics Progress
The current expectation for ***** is: Beginning Year 5.
***** is currently working BEYOND expectation at Progressing Year 6 (BEYOND = Working at BEGINNING/PROGRESSING Year 6 level)
Some results on graphs are still being amended as we work through this ‘changeover’ process so please bear with us as we endeavour to get our reporting to families correct.
Please also click on HERO “My Learning Wall” tab and your child’s “Learning Community” tab for further reporting!
Here is a helpful link through to the Ministry of Education parent portal – https://www.education.govt.nz/parents-and-caregivers/schools-year-0-13/parent-portal
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we ‘shift’ to the refreshed NZ curriculum teaching and learning programmes and begin to report accordingly.
Enjoy spending time with your child/ren sharing their learning progress and achievement – they have much to be proud of!
Mahi Tahi Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences
These will take place in the first week of Term 3. You will have already received a HERO notification inviting you to book a 15-minute interview with your child’s kaitiaki/teacher. You will have the option of choosing either Tuesday 15 July or Wednesday 16 July.
This is a valuable opportunity to talk together about your child’s progress and achievement in relation to the expectations for their year level.
Please make sure you book one interview slot per child.
To help you with the booking process, please refer to the photo provided in the notice. It shows where to go on HERO to make your booking.
Learning Community News
Learning Community Whenua
These last weeks have been busy for LC Whenua, creating and presenting our new learning to each other. In RE we have been sharing ways prayer and waiata help us to encounter Christ. Some learners chose to make prayer bookmarks through which they showed their gratefulness and caring for God’s creation just like Jesus. They presented these wonderful bookmarks with peers who felt inspired to encounter Christ. Learners have been creative in choosing a variety of ways to create and present their scientific learning about different life cycles and systems around us. They used these creations, such as dioramas, clay work and booklets, to share their understanding with others to inspire them to serve and sustain our common home.
Similarly, learners used their learning and understanding about different dance systems to create their own dance system to share their message of encountering Christ. Our learners took the opportunity on the “Open Learning Day” to proudly and independently share their learning with their whānau as their audience to inspire them to seek ways to serve and sustain our common home.
Yesterday we came together to celebrate the special achievement of 10 of our students who will be moving up to LC Awa Year 1-2 class from Term 3. We are sure they will shine wherever they are. Congratulations to you all!
Learning Community Awa
Last week, our LC Awa learners were busy preparing for their sharing of new learning from their KWHLAQ/ Thinking like a scientist process. Alongside their preparation, our tamariki enjoyed the different Matariki learning we had in the LC. There were stories shared, dancing, games and Matariki arts which included making Matariki lanterns and stars.
On Tuesday this week, LC Awa learners were so excited to share their new scientific knowledge with their families. They were confidently able to follow the ‘thinking like a scientist’ process to carry out an investigation on natural systems that sustain our common home. Groups worked collaboratively to create 3D models on the life cycles of bees, butterflies, worms and plants. They also learnt about the importance of the water cycle and filtration, respiratory and digestive system.
They confidently shared their new learning to explain how these systems help us to look after our Hauora system to inspire us to encounter Christ to serve, nurture and sustain our common home.
Learning Community Ngahere
In LC Ngahere, our learners were fully immersed in their science creations focused on food systems. Using the KWHLAQ science inquiry model, they worked in groups to explore and present different food systems such as the supermarket system, garden-to-table system, Maramataka system, ‘Can Drive’ system, and dairy system. Their goal was to grow in scientific understanding and share their new knowledge in a way that inspires us all to encounter Christ through caring for and understanding the systems that sustain us. In The Arts – Dance, learners collaborated to create and perform liturgical dances that communicated messages of faith and service. They incorporated the elements of dance to express how we can nurture and sustain our Common Home. On Tuesday, we welcomed whānau into our space to celebrate and share our learning. It was a special opportunity for learners to present both their scientific and artistic creations, showcasing the ways they are encountering Christ through inquiry, creativity, and community.
Learning Community Maunga
In Science, LC Maunga students have been actively engaged in understanding how to nourish and care for their body systems. As part of this learning experience, students worked collaboratively in groups to create their own healthy dishes.
Each group put a lot of effort into researching nutritious ingredients and developing a balanced menu that promotes good health. They then presented their delicious and healthful dishes to their parents, explaining the benefits of the ingredients chosen and how these foods support various body systems. It was wonderful to see their creativity and enthusiasm, and this hands-on activity helped reinforce important lessons about looking after their body systems.
In Dance, our learners have been exploring cultural expressions through art and dance. They created their own poi during Matariki, a traditional dance tool, and used poi dance as a medium to share meaningful messages about how to encounter Christ. Through this activity, students expressed their understanding of faith, hope, and spiritual connection by choreographing and performing poi dance routines that convey their personal and collective reflections on their spiritual journey. It was inspiring to see their creativity, dedication, and the depth of their messages.
Learning Community Moana
We finished our dioramas for our Science Transfer Task and shared them with our whānau on Tuesday at the Open Learning Day. We are very proud of the work we have done to help inspire others to look after Earth’s four natural systems – the biosphere, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere and the geosphere. We have learned that when we look after these vital systems, we are encountering Christ because we are looking after the world that God created for us. We all have a responsibility to do what we can to be the kaitiaki of Earth!
And we had our last gymnastics sessions on Thursday. It has been wonderful to see so many of our tamariki grow in confidence over the term. Some learners were very nervous about using the equipment in the first week, but now everyone is feeling confident and using the gymnasium’s equipment safely and skilfully. We have greatly appreciated the support we received from whānau who were able to come help us during our sessions. Without you, our sessions would not have been possible.
Last, but not least, we celebrated our amazing tamariki who did a superb job at completing their reading home learning. Well done for showing the school Gospel value of excellence/hiranga. Ka rawe!
PTFA News …
Upcoming PTFA events for Term 3:
- Pizza Lunch (Friday 25th July)
- Yummy Pizza lunch for our HTCPS children to enjoy!
- Wave Rave (Friday 29th August – TBC)
- Join us at Massey Park Pool for a fun night at the pools
- We are just finalising the date for this great event so more details to follow
- Cultural Groups Evening Performance – Sausage Sizzle (Wednesday 17th September)
- To support the wonderful Cultural Performance evening that the school is going to host for families, we will be putting on a sausage sizzle and raffle to fundraise for our playground addition!
Chairperson
Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School
Parent, Teacher & Friends Association
Hauora/WellBeing News
Travelwise!
Road Safety Message for the Holidays
As we head into the 2-week break, let’s all remember the importance of staying safe on and around the roads. Whether you’re going on a trip, walking to the park, or biking with friends, always follow these simple safety tips:
- Stop, Look, and Listen before crossing the road.
- Use pedestrian crossings where available.
- Wear your helmet if you’re riding a bike or scooter.
- Hold an adult’s hand when near traffic, especially for younger children.
- Be visible – wear bright colours and avoid distractions like phones or headphones.
- Be kind and courteous to others using the road.
Let’s all do our part to keep ourselves and others safe during the holidays. Enjoy your break and travel wisely!
Your Travelwise Team
Sports News
North Counties Rippa Rugby
Our Years 5/6 students participated in the North Counties Rippa Rugby Tournament held on Thursday 19th June at Bruce Pulman Park. Our team displayed excellent sportsmanship, teamwork, and enthusiasm throughout the day. They had a fantastic time on the field, demonstrating their skills and determination in each game. We are especially proud to note that our team managed to score tries in every match, showing their progress and commitment to the sport. This experience was a wonderful opportunity for students to enjoy active competition, build team spirit, and develop their rugby skills. Thank you for your support and encouragement.
Book Week 2025!
This year’s Book Week is fast approaching! Our yearly celebration of reading will be held 4th -8th August (Week 4 of Term 3), and the theme for this year’s Book Week is Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds. As always, we will be having a Book Fair, daily events to celebrate and encourage reading and ending the week with a Character Parade. We’d love our tamariki to join the staff in dressing up as a book character on Friday 8th August.sKids HTCPS School Holiday Programme
These school holidays, let your child explore the world – without leaving town!
Join us at sKids Holy Trinity for a fun-filled Holiday HQ adventure, where kids dive into different cultures, create, play, and make new friends – all for as little as $1.70 a day with OSCAR subsidy!*
From ancient pyramids to snowy igloos, movie days to maraca-making, every day is a new adventure.
30 June – 11 July | 7AM–5:30PM
137 Airfield Road, Takanini
BOOK NOW for your chance to WIN a $1,000 Airbnb voucher!
Book today → www.skids.co.nz/holiday-programmes
0800 274 172
*More families now qualify for OSCAR. Don’t miss out—check your eligibility today! https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/oscar-subsidy.html
Upcoming School Events
Term 2 Commences
Monday 14th July 8:50am
School Whakatau and Gathering Liturgy
Monday 14th July @ 8:50am in Taamaua/school hall
Mahi Tahi Parent, Student, Teacher Conferences
Week 1 Term 3 – Tuesday 15th (1:30pm – 7:00pm) and Wednesday 16th July (3:15pm – 5:15pm)
SCHOOL PHOTOS – PHOTOLIFE on site
Thursday 17th July @ 8:30am – 1:00pm in Taamaua/school hall
Second Hand Uniform Shop – OPEN
Friday 18th July @ 8:30am – 9:30am Mezzanine Area in Taamaua/school hall
Cultural Groups Practices commence (weekly)
Monday 21st July 9:30am – 10:30am
PTFA Annual General Meeting – Outdoor Education
Tuesday 22nd July @ 7:00pm in Taamaua
School Board Monthly Meeting
Wednesday 23rd July @ 7:00pm in the school staffroom
PTFA Pizza Lunch
Friday 25th July @ school
Book Week Celebrations
Week 4 Term 3: Monday 4th – Friday 8th August
Term 3 Concludes
Friday 19th September 2:50pm
Term 4 Commences
Monday 6th October 8:50am
Upcoming Community Events
Little Scientists Holiday Programme
Hi there!
My name is Jess and I run the Little Scientists holiday programmes here in Auckland.
Auckland Basketball Services T3 Leagues
Kia ora,
Hope you all are well and excited for the end of term just around the corner.
I wanted to reach out and provide all of our Term 3 Auckland Basketball Services league information and links.
You can find all the listings below that could cater to your area or your school/club teams.
Hope to see you guys at our leagues in Term 3!
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out anytime.
CBL 5×5 T3 Link: https://membership.mygameday.
Ngā mihi,
Amanda Wayment | Community Development Officer South
Auckland Basketball Services
Level 4 | Alexandra Park Function Centre | Greenlane Road West
M +64 22 5439942
