Greetings, Kia ora, Kia orana, Talofa, Mālō e lelei, Namaste, Ni Hao, Bula, Hola, Kumusta, Namaskārām,
Sat Shri Akaal, Vanakkam and Ayubowan
Dear Families
WOW! What a wonderful faith filled and happy way to finish our week at school, with the most beautiful Mothers’ Day Liturgy and celebration. We are always in awe of our fabulous mums, grandmas, aunties, godmothers and mothering people in our lives and it was an honour to be able to celebrate you today!
Timothy’s beautifully read reflection on “The Strength of a Mother’s Presence” touched our hearts and made our eyes leak just a little …
From our Gospel reading (John 19:25-27), we see Mary standing at the foot of the cross. She isn’t performing a miracle or teaching a crowd; she is simply there.
Being a mother or a mother-figure is often defined by this “standing by.” It is the quiet strength of staying close when things are difficult. For many of us, our mothers are the ones who stand by us during our own “crosses” – whether it’s a bad grade, a broken friendship, or a moment of doubt.
Jesus, even in his final moments of suffering, made sure his mother was cared for. He shows us that honouring our mothers is a sacred duty. Today, we recognise that “mothering” isn’t just about biology; it’s about the aunties, grandmothers, teachers, and mentors who have looked at us and said, “I am here for you.”
Like Mary, these women teach us how to love without conditions. This Mother’s Day, let us challenge ourselves not just to give a gift, but to truly “behold” our mothers – to see their hard work, their prayers for us, and the love they pour into our lives every day.
To all our Mums and the wonderful women in our lives, God Bless you all and wishing you a HAPPY Mothers Day this Sunday!
Thank You Support Staff!
We celebrate Support Staff Week this coming 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, 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!
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- Mr Baker
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- Mrs Stewart
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- Miss Raega
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- Mrs Anand
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- Mrs Guadalupe
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- Mrs Farley
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- Mrs Ochoa
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- Miss Aiesi
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- Mrs Feagaiga
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- Mrs Harvey
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- Mrs Chute
DRS Report
Mother’s Day Liturgy
Today we gathered as a school whānau for a special Mother’s Day liturgy, celebrating and giving thanks to God for all the wonderful mums, grandmothers, aunties, and mother figures in our lives. It was a beautiful opportunity to honour the many different ways our tamariki are loved and nurtured every day. Special thanks to all the tamariki and kaitiaki of Patrick Dunn Whānau for planning and leading us in this very special celebration!
Double Celebration for our Trinity Feast Day
We are very excited to have our double celebrations for our Feast Day coming up. Save the date!
On Friday 29 May, we are going to have a special Trinity Mass at 9:30am in Taamaua/school hall with Father Kevin Murphy of St Anne’s Manurewa, as the celebrant. After Mass, our children will be in their Whānau groups for the rest of the day doing fun activities as a whānau to celebrate our special day.
The Feast of the Most Holy Trinity will be celebrated again on Sunday 31 May as we gather together at the 10:30am Mass at St Mary’s Church in Papakura. Father Tony King-Archer will be our celebrant and our children will be ministering through proclamation of the Word, prayers of the faithful and offertory. We invite all our school families and friends to join us as we celebrate with our Parish community.
Trinity’s Got Talent Show!
We are celebrating our Holy Trinity Feast Day on Friday 29th May! 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 29th May as we celebrate being a Holy Trinity School!
Teacher Only Day
School will be closed for students on Friday 22nd 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 Teacher/Staff Only Day.
This teacher-only day will provide our school with a dedicated time to understand and engage with changes across The Mathematics and Statistics Learning area of the NZ Curriculum. It is an opportunity for our kaitiaki to share ideas and expertise and to grow in our confidence in implementing the refreshed curriculum and assessment changes.
Please make alternative arrangements for your child/ren on this day.
sKids OPEN For Friday 22nd May – Teacher Only Day
Treat your child to a relaxing and fun-filled day while school is closed for Teacher Only Day on Friday 22nd May!
Our Pamper Day is all about creativity, self-care, and a little bit of sparkle.
Children will enjoy:
Creating their own bath bombs
Fun, hands-on pamper-themed crafts
Relaxing activities designed to unwind and recharge
A calm, nurturing environment with plenty of smiles
It’s the perfect blend of creativity and relaxation, giving children a chance to feel refreshed while having fun with friends.
Spaces are limited, so be sure to book early to secure your child’s spot!
sKids Holy Trinity
0800 274 172
Bluelight Disco
As part of our Year 6 Camp fundraising event, the Police Bluelight Disco was an absolute hit with our children. Thank you to all our families for supporting this fundraiser, we managed to make $445.00 in one lunchtime. This means that the Police Bluelight initiative and the Year 6 Camp received $222.50 each. Thank you again for your generosity!
Teaching and Learning News
Travelwise
This week, we celebrated Road Safety Week with the theme “Be a Road Safety Hero.” Our wonderful Travelwise Team took on a leadership role by preparing speeches, posters, and engaging learning slides that they shared with all Learning Communities across the school. Their presentations helped raise awareness about the importance of staying safe on and around our roads.
As part of our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint, the Travelwise Team gathers each morning to record the names of students who walk, bike, or scooter to school. Every fortnight, one lucky student will be chosen as our Travelwise Winner. Congratulations to this week’s winner – Matt from LC Moana who will be recognised at our next Assembly.
We continue to encourage our tamariki to choose environmentally friendly ways of travelling to school whenever possible. Walking, biking, and scootering are not only healthy choices but also help care for our planet.
A Message to Parents and Whānau
We all play an important role in keeping our roads safe. We want to make the streets in our community safer for everyone and help prevent unnecessary injuries and accidents. Everyone has the right to travel in safe and healthy ways every day.
We are calling on everyone to “Be a Road Safety Hero” by:
- slowing down around schools and crossings
- being alert for children walking or biking
- and showing patience and care on our roads
Together, we can keep our tamariki safe and build a healthier, safer community for all.
‘Travelwise with Pride’ – message from the Travelwise Team
Tread Lightly Caravan Environmental Programme
This week, we were fortunate to have the Tread Lightly caravan at our school to support our science learning and teaching.
Before the caravan visited, students and teachers explored the story of The Lorax and discussed the taonga within the story, particularly the importance of caring for our environment. The Tread Lightly caravan extended this learning by helping students understand how the choices we make can positively or negatively impact the world around us.
We would especially like to thank whānau who attended the sessions and supported one of the learning stations. Your time and support helped make this a great learning experience for our tamariki!
Learning Community News
Whenua
It has been great to see Whenua learners settle well, back into school after the 2 week holidays.
On Thursdays we have been engaging in fundamental skills lessons, such as; balancing and hopping. Learners need to bring their PE gear on Thursdays up to Week 6 when we will be having a Bike Balance Day.
In the learning community, learners have been busy learning about “God” – names for God, how we talk to God, how we listen to God and that God is never too busy for us. This has enabled our learners to see God as a Taonga/treasure and an important part of our school story.
This week (Week 3) we have the Tread Lightly Caravan Trust here at school. Learners have been learning all about how we can look after our whenua/land by recycling and putting our rubbish in the correct place. We have also been enjoying the story ‘The Lorax,’ where we see the effects on the environment from our choices. We will connect this learning to how we look after our school!
Ngahere
In Religious Education (RE), we have been learning about God as our friend and His presence with and around us. As May is Marian Month, we are praying a decade of the Rosary each day. We are also exploring the taonga of our Catholic story through our wonderings using the KWHLAQ framework.
In Literacy, our tamariki have been learning about ANZAC. This has included understanding the solemn remembrance of those who served in war, exploring the story of the Anzac Teddy and its role in comforting soldiers, and experiencing the joy of baking ANZAC biscuits. Our learners have been highly engaged throughout these activities. In Mathematics, students are learning about fractions and simple number sentences. In Health and Physical Education, learners continue to enjoy and actively participate in their Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) sessions each Thursday.
As part of our Science learning, students are developing their scientific thinking skills.This experience connects with our Science focus and integrates with Literacy through poetry and shared reading of The Lorax. We enjoyed visiting the Tread Lightly caravan and learning about recycling and what we can recycle. We also learnt about the life cycle of a plant and planted our own peas. We are excited to watch them grow! We also used magnifying glasses to look closely at preserved insects, which was very interesting.
Awa
Learning Community Awa has been using the “thinking like a scientist process” to carry out collaborative inquiries about the taonga of our whenua – our land, the pukeko and the awa. Learners have been observing our land and sharing what they already know, they have used this to ask wonderings about what they want to know.
We have also enjoyed our session at the Tread Lightly Caravan where we learnt the importance of recycling and items that we can recycle. We explored the life cycle of a plant and planted our own peas. We are looking forward to watching them sprout and grow. We even got to use the magnifying glass to have a closer look at preserved insects – they were very interesting to look at closely!
Maunga
It has been a busy two weeks in Maunga, and with Trinity week fast approaching, we have been making links to our “Whakapapa” and connecting the dots as to why the Trinity is so important to not only our school but to us as Catholics.
We have been gathering our recycling resources to create a sweet surprise for the mothers/ mother figures in our lives. Learning to measure twice and cut once has become the new catch phrase before using scissors. Art is on Fridays, so the learners have a whole week to collect what they need and, in their way, help to sustain our common home.
A huge heartfelt thank you to Mr and Mrs Smith, who have joined us and supported our Year 5 learners at Gymnastics sessions last Thursday. We look forward to seeing you again this upcoming Thursday.
We are working on how our whānau patrons travelled by ship to Aotearoa/New Zealand. Through the lens of science, we will discover how sailors used the elements of weather, seasons, tides, and clouds to navigate the safest route to sail from one location to another.
During PE, we have been sharing laughter and cries of joy as we manoeuvre our bodies during collaborative games. By shifting our weight, we have tried to outwit our opponent and be the last one standing. The fun continues this week with an outdoor obstacle course.
As the term continues, so does our learning!
Moana
Gymnastics sessions are underway for Years 5 and 6, and our learners are enjoying the different stations and activities at Bruce Pulman Park Recreation Centre. It has been wonderful to watch our learners support one another as they navigate the bars, beams, and floor exercises. We are proud of the “can-do” attitude our seniors are bringing to every session. And a huge thank you goes out to our whānau who have come to our sessions to help ensure our learners have a safe, enjoyable experience.
Thursdays after gymnastics is Digital Technology time in our LC. The Year 6s are learning how to touch type using the website typingclub.com, and the Year 5s are doing PLOD programming with Mr Kumar.
In our Literacy programme, we have been focusing on how sailors of the past used their knowledge of weather, tides and currents – a taonga – to help our whānau patrons get to New Zealand safely. Later this term we will also be exploring longitude and latitude. The learners are currently writing explanations as a way to share what they have learned.
In RE we have been exploring what it means to be a disciple, and how Saints are role models for us as followers of Jesus. Recently we have looked at the stories of one extra-special disciple: Mary, Mother of Jesus. Her stories show us there are different ways to learn, love, and serve, even in challenging circumstances. She is a truly remarkable role model for us all!
Cultural Celebrations
Cultural Groups 2026
This week, our cultural groups will begin, and the organisation of these groups will look a little different from how we have done them in the past. As we celebrate our ten-year anniversary this year, we are embracing kotahitanga/unity by ensuring everyone has the opportunity to come together to celebrate the richness of our diverse cultures and languages. This is one way we can honour this milestone together, strengthening connections across our school community through shared experiences.
The cultural groups are Kapa Haka, Pasifika, Filipino, Indian/Sri Lankan, and Diversity. Home groups from across the year levels have been allocated to a cultural group, and we have maintained our tuakana/teina approach by pairing a senior home group with a junior home group. This will provide opportunities for our learners to work together with manaakitia/respect, supporting and uplifting one another as they learn and celebrate together.
Through this process, we want to encourage hiranga/excellence, as students give their best, take pride in their participation, and contribute to the story of our school whakapapa by seeing this cultural experience as a taonga that shapes and continues our journey as people of hope at Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School.
Pasifika Fono
Talofa lava, Mālō e lelei, Ni sa bula vinaka, Kia orāna, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Mālo ni, Fakatalofa atu, Mauri, and warm greetings to our Pasifika families.
We would like to warmly invite you to a gathering in Taamaua/our school hall on Wednesday, 13th May from 5.30pm–7.00pm. This will be our first opportunity to come together this year to share a meal, connect with one another, and contribute ideas about how we can celebrate our Pasifika languages and cultures during the different language weeks throughout the year.
Some of our Board members will also be present to share information about a recent survey, and our wonderful staff will help organise games and activities to keep the children entertained.
We ask that each family bring along whatever they plan to have for dinner that evening to share as part of our shared meal. We look forward to seeing you all this coming Wednesday.
Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta – Rotuma Language Week
This week we acknowledge and celebrate Rotuman Language Week.
Fäeag Rotuạm Ta (the Rotuman language) is the indigenous language of Rotuma, a beautiful island that is part of Fiji. Rotuman is a very unique language that has been influenced by other Pacific languages such as Samoan and Tongan. Today, the language is considered endangered, making it even more important to celebrate and keep it alive for future generations.
A special cultural symbol in Rotuman culture is the Tēfui, a beautiful garland worn during celebrations, ceremonies, and dances. A formal tēfui has seven fui (stars), representing the seven districts of Rotuma. Tēfui are a symbol of identity, pride, and connection to Rotuman culture and heritage. 
We have a small number of families from Rotuman who are helping us acknowledge and celebrate Rotuman Language Week. Isaiah from Moana will lead and say Rotu/prayer before morning tea and lunch time this week and the children will be making a tēfui as well.
Sports News
Our school netball teams have been diligently preparing and training for their upcoming games, which are held on Saturday mornings. A big thank you to the Whānau for organising and supporting this wonderful opportunity for our tamariki to showcase their skills and teamwork.
In addition to netball, we offer a wide range of sports and play hat our tamariki enjoy during break times at school. These activities provide a fun and active way for students to spend time with their friends, helping to strengthen their hauora—both mentally and physically. Engaging in sports not only promotes physical fitness but also helps develop important social skills like teamwork, communication, and resilience.
We are proud of our tamariki’s enthusiasm and commitment to staying active and healthy through sports and outdoor play!
Bike Balance Day
We are really lucky to have Counties Manukau Sports (CMS) working with our tamariki in Year 0-3. As part of this programme, they will have a fun Bike Balance Day with CMS on Thursday 4 June. The coaches will help support students to ride bikes in a safe way and learn to balance themselves through core stability and body control.
Hauora/WellBeing News
Pink Shirt Day!
The Awhi Team are currently very busy preparing for Pink Shirt Day which will be next Friday, the 15th of May. The theme for Pink Shirt Day at Holy Trinity is “We can all be peacemakers by looking after each other”. The peer mediators will be running activities in each of the Learning Communities after lunch to encourage our tamariki to be kind and to look after their own and others’ hinengaro (mental health).Congratulations News!
Great news to share … Zeke Soriano and his older sister, Alicia were competitors in the recent ITF Taekwondo Auckland North & Counties Manukau Regional Tournament. They both achieved all gold medals in their events:
Zeke was awarded GOLD in Patterns; Power Punch; High Kick Specialty and Sparring … he also received a trophy for “Best Overall Yellow Belt.” Fantastic news Zeke – we are so proud of you and your achievements!
Duffy Books in Homes
Congratulations to the following children who completed the Duffy Books in Homes/Ministry of Education Summer Reading Challenge. Well done for keeping up with your reading over the summer holidays!PTFA News!
- Oxford Pie & Cookie Fundraiser
- Order forms will be distributed in late May for pick up Friday 19th June
- Mahi Tahi BBQ & Uniform Shop – 23rd June
- Grab a sausage on your way to Mahi Tahi interviews or visit the 2nd hand uniform shop
- Matariki Breakfast – Friday 3rd July
- Join the school community for breakfast at school to celebrate Matariki
- Disco or Movie Night – TBC
- Oxford Pie & Cookie Fundraiser
- Helping take orders before/after school in the office in early June
- Mahi Tahi BBQ – 23rd June
- Volunteers to help run the BBQ and uniform shop
- Matariki Breakfast – Friday 3rd July
- Helping prepare breakfast early that morning
- Disco / Movie Night – TBC
- Helping to run the event on the night
Chairperson
Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School
Parent, Teacher & Friends Association
Upcoming School Events
Rotuman Language Week Celebrations
Monday 11th – Friday 15th May
Support Staff Week Celebrations
Monday 11th – Friday 15th May
Cultural Groups commence
Monday 11th May 9:30am-10:30am in Learning Communities
Pasifika Fono – Community Hui with shared meal
Wednesday 13th May 5:30pm – 7:00pm @ Taamaua/school hall
P.E. Fundamental Skills Lessons for Years 0-3 students – Counties Manukau programme
Thursday 14th May @ school
Gymnastics/Fundamental Skills Lessons for Year 5 (10am-11am) and Year 6 (11am-12:00)
Thursday 14th May @ Bruce Pulman Park Recreation Centre
Pink Shirt Day – Mental Health/Hauora Day
Friday 15th May @ school
School Gathering Liturgy and Assembly – led by Mrs Ali/LC Moana and Mrs Griffiths/LC Whenua
Monday 18th May @ 8:50am in Taamaua/school hall
Fr Tony visiting learning Communities
Wednesday 20th May @ school
Year 6 CAMP at CAMP ADAIR
Wednesday 20th – Friday 22nd May @ Camp Adair, Hunua
P.E. Fundamental Skills Lessons for Years 0-3 students – Counties Manukau programme
Thursday 21st May @ school
Teacher/Staff ONLY DAY – school closed for students
Friday 22nd May
Cultural Groups continue
Monday 25th May 9:30am-10:30am in Learning Communities
Māori Whānau – Community Hui with shared meal
Monday 25th May 5:30pm – 7:00pm @ Taamaua/school hall
Cultural Groups continue
Monday 25th May 9:30am-10:30am in Learning Communities
PTFA Monthly Meeting
Tuesday 26th May 7:00pm in the school staffroom
School Board Monthly Meeting
Wednesday 27th May 7:00pm in the school staffroom
P.E. Fundamental Skills Lessons for Years 0-3 students – Counties Manukau programme
Thursday 28th May @ school
Gymnastics/Fundamental Skills Lessons for Year 5 (10am-11am) and Year 6 (11am-12:00)
Thursday 28th May @ Bruce Pulman Park Recreation Centre
Feast Day of the Most Holy Trinity – School Mass and Celebrations
Friday 29th May commencing with 9:30am School Mass in Taamaua and 1:00pm Trinity’s Got Talent Show
The Most Holy Trinity Feast Day Parish/School Mass Celebrations
Sunday 31st May @ 10:30am at St Mary’s Papakura Church followed by morning tea in the parish hall
King’s Birthday Public Holiday – school closed
Monday 1st June
Samoan Language Week Celebrations
Monday 1st – Friday 5th June
School Gathering Liturgy and Assembly – led by Ms Gill/LC Moana and Mrs Nadan/LC Awa
Tuesday 2nd June @ 8:50am in Taamaua/school hall
Fr Tony visiting learning Communities
Wednesday 3rd June @ school
BIKE Balance Day for Years 0-3 students – Counties Manukau programme
Thursday 4th June @ school
Gymnastics/Fundamental Skills Lessons for Year 5 (10am-11am) and Year 6 (11am-12:00)
Thursday 4th June @ Bruce Pulman Park Recreation Centre
Outdoor Education Day for Learning Communities Moana and Maunga
Friday 5th June @ school
Term 2 Concludes
Friday 3rd July
Term 3 Commences 8:50am
Monday 20th July
Upcoming Community Events
Saturday Morning Junior Basketball
Hi everyone, Term 2 Saturday Morning Junior Basketball will begin on Saturday May 16 and end on Saturday June 20th. Team entry is on a “first come first serve basis”.
All Ages Turbo Touch
Papakura Youth Council – DISCO
It’s open to any school students however our key audience is 12-15 year olds.. There will be free food, a DJ, and lots of giveaways so it is sure to be a great time.
