Greetings, Kia ora, Kia orana, Talofa, Mālō e lelei, Namaste, Ni Hao, Bula, Hola, Kumusta, Namaskārām,
Sat Shri Akaal, Vanakkam and Ayubowan
Dear Families
Last week we celebrated a very beautiful and prayerful Mass at school to celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity whom our school is named for! And we also celebrated a very joyful and reverent Parish/School Mass on Sunday.
At both celebrations of the Eucharist, where we gathered with parishioners, Holy Trinity School students, staff and whānau, there was much warmth and wairua!
Our grateful thanks to Fr Tony/St Mary’s Parish and Fr Kevin/St Anne’s Parish and to all those involved in the various ministries especially our students and families, who helped to make the Mass celebrations special for both our school and parish community as we celebrated the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity Sunday.
As we are named Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School, Holy Trinity is the charism for our school community. We want to show how important relationship, love and unity is to who we are and how we are at our school. We have a great example and model of relationship in the Holy Trinity – the Trinity exemplifies love – it is the love of the Father for his Son, the love of the Son for his Father and the overarching love of the life giving Holy Spirit. It is love that binds the three together. And it is this love and relationship that’s the essence of the Trinity.
This is an important part of our school culture and the type of community that we want to be – where we welcome all, we participate and contribute, we build and nurture relationships, we model love and service, seek excellence in our learning and where we unite as Holy Trinity Family.
Our School Board, PTFA, the teaching staff, support staff, families and children have been wonderful at supporting, enhancing and modelling the Holy Trinity charism and culture each day at school – together we continue to nurture who we are, what we are about and how we want to be!
Please pray for us and with us as we continue to grow in learning ka ako, loving ka aroha and serving ka manaaki with the Holy Trinity as our perfect model of relationship, unity and love! Three persons, one God — united in love!
St Vincent de Paul Papakura – A Message to School Whānau
Are you looking to upskill while giving back? Join our friendly volunteer team at the St Vincent de Paul shop in Papakura!
Perfect for stay-at-home mums wanting to gain retail, customer service, cash handling, and teamwork experience while making a real difference in the community. Flexible hours to fit around school schedules.
Contact us today to learn more. 09 2965052 or papakura.svdp@gmail.com
DRS Report
Sacrament of Confirmation
Over the last couple of Sundays, we’ve had a total of 24 students receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Mary’s Parish Papakura and St Anne’s Parish Manurewa. ‘Sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit’, we congratulate and continue to pray for these young people as they continue with the Sacramental programme to prepare to receive the Body and Blood of Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
From St Mary’s Parish Papakura, congratulations to:
Isla Pagalunan, Zheian Rosal, Felicity Calutan, Freya Ah Ling, Xander Farley, Lilith Farley, Ryleigh Juanta, Chloe Wee, Lachlan Cortez, Ace Mantos, James Ostle, Eryn Maniti, Sierra-Marie Watkins, Liam Cristobal, Amaya Friis, Enzo Tabobo, Gabe Ah Ling and Zoe Porter.
From St Anne’s Manurewa, congratulations to:
Caleb De Vera, Lucy Buzmion, Dylan Joypaul, Ariah Scanlan and Hayden Matthew.
South Auckland Catholic Schools Mass
On Friday 19 June, our Year 5/6 students will be attending a combined South Auckland Catholic Schools Mass at St Anne’s Parish Church, Manurewa. They will be joining other students from the South Auckland Catholic schools to celebrate Mass together and celebrating what it means to belong to a wider Catholic family.
RE Books Coming Home
Next week commencing Monday 8 June, our students will be bringing home their Religious Education (RE) books to share their learning with you at home. It would be great if you spend some time with your child/ren to hear what new knowledge they gain from RE. We encourage all our families to please add a whānau comment in the section provided for you in the children’s RE books. Your whānau comment is important as it helps affirms our children on their learning journey in Religious Education.
Philippines Independence Day Celebrations!
Maligayang pagbati sa inyong lahat!
Please join us for our Philippines Independence Day celebration … Friday 12th June at 5:30pm in Taamaua /school hall.
We are looking forward to spending a special time together with our Filipino families as we celebrate Philippines Independence Day.
The programme will begin at 5:45 PM, followed by dinner from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Please arrive by 5:30 PM to get settled.
We will have some performances from the students and then we will have our shared meal.
Please bring food to share for dinner.
We encourage everyone to wear their national costume and to bring their families along for this special event!
THANK YOU to everyone who has worked so hard and contributed to this special celebration for our Filipino community.
Pagpalain tayong lahat ng panginoon
PTFA News …
THANK YOU to all our Holy Trinity whānau and friends who supported the Oxford Pie and Cookie Fundraiser! Ka mau te wehi – you are amazing!
Key events for Term 2 include:
- Oxford Pie & Cookie Fundraiser – Friday 19th June
- Available for pick up Friday 19th June
- Mahi Tahi BBQ & Uniform Shop – Tuesday 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
Louise Ruegg
Chairperson
Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School
Parent, Teacher & Friends Association
Mahi Tahi Student/Parent/Teacher Learning Conversations
Our Mahi Tahi Learning Conversations will take place in June. A HERO notification will be sent on Monday, June 15th inviting you to book a 15-minute interview with your child’s kaitiaki/teacher.
You will be able to choose from the following times:
- Tuesday 23rd June, 1.30pm-7.00pm
- Wednesday 24th June, 3.30pm-6.30pm.
Mahi Tahi provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen the partnership between home and school in support of your child’s learning and wellbeing. These conversations will give you time to discuss your child’s progress, celebrate learning, identify next steps for learning and explore ways to support learning at home.
Teaching and Learning News
St John in Schools Programme
Next week, we are excited to welcome St John to our school. Through their engaging and interactive First Aid Programme, students will learn important life skills that help them respond safely and confidently in an emergency.
Students will learn how to:
Emergency Smart
Years 1 & 2
*Recognise an emergency situation and know when and how to get help.
* Outline appropriate responses to questions from an operator when calling 111.
* Demonstrate how to help someone before the ambulance arrives.
Emergency Ready
Years 3 & 4
* Outline appropriate responses to questions from an operator when calling 111.
* Assess your own safety when there is an emergency.
* Demonstrate how to check for a response and place an unresponsive patient on their side.
* Demonstrate how to treat a severe bleed.
* Demonstrate the treatment of minor injuries.
Emergency Responder
Years 5 & 6
* Demonstrate the assessment of patients using DRSABC and take appropriate actions.
* Describe appropriate responses to a variety of situations requiring first aid.
This is a wonderful opportunity for our tamariki to develop practical skills that empower them to care for themselves and others.
Samoan Language Week
Samoan Language Week theme: “E afua mai i mauga tetele manuia o le nu’u” – “From the high mountains are the blessings of the village.”
We had a wonderful Samoan Language Week, where our learning activities helped us celebrate the blessings of the Samoan language and culture, reflecting the theme, From the high mountains are the blessings of the village. It was great to see students working together and supporting one another as they engaged in activities such as siva, creating a siapo using paper, the Chee hoo contest, and Learning Community mili mili pati ā challenge.
The koko alaisa was also a highlight and helped keep us warm on a cold day.
We would like to thank all our students for the creativity shown in the Ula competition. The stories and meaning behind each ula were a true taonga. Fa’afetai tele lava mo le sauniga matagofie.
THANK YOU from our Campers!
We extend grateful thanks to our school CAMP Staff, parent volunteers and families who supported with the recent Year 6 Camp. It was so exciting to see our young ones having such a fantastic time learning in the outdoors, mastering new skills, challenging themselves, managing themselves, collaborating, working together, sharing and caring, having fun and creating memories.
We can’t offer these learning experiences without having the dedication and commitment of our school staff – teachers and support staff plus the partnership with and support of our whānau so THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Ka mau to wehi – you are amazing!
It was wonderful to have almost all of our students attending Camp … building resilience by stepping outside of the known to take on the unknown and engaging with each new challenge and activity. We are SO proud of you too and are in “AWE” of the wonderful ‘can do’ attitude you are nurturing in yourselves! Tino pai tātou – WELL DONE ALL!
Click on the link to view the Year 6 Camp 2026 Powerpoint …
Congratulations to all of our Trinity’s Got Talent Performers
Huge congratulations to all our children who were brave enough to enter the Show. We are proud of you and thank you for sharing your talents.
Thank you to all of our performers – thank you for entertaining us and making our HOLY TRINITY FEAST DAY so special – you are all FANTASTIC!!!!!
THAT’s the TRINITY’s GOT TALENT SHOW for 2026!
Overall WINNER: Chanté
Years 0/1 /2 Winners:
Thaliah / Layla and Skylar W./ Senna, Thiya, Gabi, Gurleen and Josephine
Years 3/4 Winners:
Tala / Mason/ Knoxtyn / Joann and Christina
Years 5/6 Winners:
Petra/ Ann, Isla, Aelwyd, Nainika, Navisha, Raksha, Elaina, Bisman / Khloe, Sierra-Marie, Christen/ and Victoria
Learning Community News
Whenua
Over the last two weeks, Whenua learners have been busy being scientists. We have looked at plants and what they need to grow. This curiosity meant we had opportunities to look at plant life through magnifying glasses and a microscope.
This week, we also had our last session of PE fundamental skills. Learners have learned new games to play, listening skills and basic developmental skills like balancing, hopping, and skipping.
It has been Samoan Language Week this week, and Whenua did their best to incorporate the language into their day. We greeted each other, made fale (Samoan buildings) using leaves and learned mili mili pati ā.
Whenua learners showed their bravery last week by performing a song at Trinity’s Got Talent. We performed a song that Fr. Tony taught us on his last visit to our learning community.
Ngahere
Over the past weeks, Ngahere learners explored the seasons through exciting science investigations and hands-on learning. Alongside our science learning, we explored hauora wellbeing and discussed ways to care for our tinana, hinengaro, whānau, and wairua wellbeing. Learners also chose meaningful ways to celebrate hauora for themselves and others within our communities through acts of kindness, spending time with whānau, caring for nature, physical activity, prayer, and including others in play and learning.
In Religious Education, learners explored different names and images for God, including Creator, Father, Shepherd, Friend, Light, Potter etc. Through prayer, artwork, and discussion, children reflected on how these images help us understand God’s love-aroha and care on our spiritual journey as people of hope.
In Art, learners explored the elements of art through their beautiful pūkeko artwork, ANZAC poppies and autumn fall. Using pastels, paint and dye, children experimented with colour, line, texture, and shape to create vibrant seasonal artworks inspired by nature.
We are incredibly proud of the curiosity, creativity, and teamwork our tamariki have shown throughout their learning.
Ka mau te wehi, Ngahere learners!
Awa
Learning Community Awa have been learning about the elements of art. We have used our learning about the element of space, line and colour to create a piece of landscape art. Our landscape art is based on the taonga of Takanini and we have included the awa, whenua and the pukeko in our art. We also completed another piece of art using the element of texture. We went on a nature scavenger hunt to find a range of textures. We used nature and pastels to create rubbings. We then cut our rubbings to create a pukeko.
Maunga
We have had an amazing time of learning, completing our projects in RE and Science. Thank you to all the whānau who have responded and supported our learning by supplying the multitude of repurposed brown shopping bags and boxes, as we have put them to good use. You have modelled how we can all answer the call and help to sustain our common home, Earth.
This has been a busy time of working in groups and demonstrating unity and resilience. With a positive attitude, we have shared our understanding and promoted tuakana-teina as we present our projects and explain how we gathered information like scientists.
We have continued with Gymnastics for the Year 5s on Thursdays with Moana.
Trinity’s Got Talent provided a wonderful opportunity for many of our learners to share their talent, from football skills, karaoke, piano renditions and dance routines. We are so proud of how confident they all were. Bravo!
We have participated in Samoan Language Week activities and made our own version of ula and siapo, which are traditional necklaces, and tapa. We have been led by Clover and raised our voices and built team spirit with our version of mili mili patia, which is a response chant and clapping game.
So we have achieved a lot of learning experiences, had an amazing week identifying with a culture represented in our Learning Community and will continue learning in the weeks to follow.
We have shared a lot of hauora-well-being, and it shows in the way the learners have worked together to support their learning. Well done children, Mālo le fa’amalosi fanau.
Moana
Our learners in LC Moana have been busy engaging in meaningful learning experiences across Religious Education, Science, Writing, and Physical Education.
In Religious Education, learners explored the lives of various Saints and reflected on how these role models teach us to learn, love, and serve. They are continuing to write their personal reflections supported with evidence from the Saints’ lives and have selected a creative way to present their chosen Saint through a poster, flyer, newspaper article, or other presentation format. It has been wonderful to see learners making connections between the Saints’ examples and their own faith journeys.
In Science and Writing, learners are currently working on their transfer task, where they are presenting their scientific learning as part of a collaborative visual display. A part of our classroom features learners’ treasure chests, as part of their taonga, which they are still working on. Our classroom learning is still continuing around scientific explanations linked to topics such as tides, weather, ocean currents, global winds, and navigation at sea. Learners are showcasing their understanding through writing and illustrations that connect to our concept of Taonga and the journeys of hope within our Catholic story.
Our gymnastics sessions continue to be a highlight for many learners. Despite some challenging weather conditions, our students have shown perseverance, enthusiasm, and resilience while developing their gymnastics skills. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our wonderful parent helpers, whose ongoing support has enabled these sessions to continue successfully. Your time and commitment are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your continued support of our learners and their learning journey.
Sports News
North Counties Netball
On Tuesday 16 June, ten of our Year 5/6 students will be representing our school at the North Counties Inter-school Netball Tournament held at Bruce Pulman Papakura Netball Centre. It promises to be a great sporting day with lots of schools from the Papakura and Takanini area competing. We wish our team, coaches and umpires all the best as they prepare for this upcoming tournament.
Counties Manukau Sports
Last week, we had coaches from Counties Manukau Sports come in to work with our junior students in Years 0-3 as they enjoyed a fun Bike Balance Day. The coaches helped to support students to ride bikes in a safe way and learn to balance themselves through their core stability and body control. This week, we’ve had our final fundamental movement skills session with Counties Manukau Sports where our tamariki explored the skills of jumping, skipping, throwing etc that they will need to support future physical activities and sports.
Hauora/WellBeing News
Awhi Team – Peer Mediation
Over the next two weeks, our Awhi Team Peer Mediators will be on the lookout for tamariki who are showing manaakitanga-respect and kotahitanga-unity by taking turns and including others in playground games.You can help by having a quick chat with your child about why taking turns is important. Some simple reminders might include:
- waiting patiently for a turn,
- sharing equipment and spaces,
- inviting others to join in,
- and using kind words if someone is waiting.
Learning to take turns helps build friendships, solve problems peacefully, and keeps our playground a fun and welcoming place for everyone. We look forward to celebrating the many students who show these wonderful skills each day!
Duffy Books vs Book Club – What’s the Difference?
We’ve had a few questions about the difference between Duffy Books and Book Club.
Duffy Books are part of the Duffy Books in Homes charitable programme. Every child chooses their own free books at school during our Duffy Book selections (once a term in Terms 1, 2, and 3). Families do not need to order or pay for these books as they are selected by the students and organised entirely through the school.
Book Club, on the other hand, is optional and gives families the opportunity to purchase additional books through the Book Club brochures that come home twice every term. Orders and payments for these books are made by families.
We hope this helps clarify the difference between these two fantastic ways to encourage a love of reading.
School Organisation
New Families Meeting
There will be a New Families Meeting on Thursday 18th June from 9.00am–10.30am.
Please look out for an email invitation to join us for the morning. This will be an opportunity to receive important school information, ask questions, and learn more about how we can work together to ensure a smooth transition to school for your child.
We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to our school community.
sKids July Holiday Programme
sKids July Holiday HQ: World Cup bookings are now open
Reminders!
From Health NZ/Te Whatu Ora …
Knowing if your child is well enough to go to school — guidance for parents and caregivers
Going to school every day is important for all school aged tamariki (children). It helps build their confidence and social skills, and to achieve their education and life ambitions. This information helps you decide when it is okay to send your child to school, when you should keep your child at home and when you should contact a health professional for advice.
When your child has symptoms but can still attend school …
These mild symptoms can be caused by a condition or reaction rather than an infectious illness. A child with these symptoms is likely to still be able to attend school.
If your child tests negative for COVID-19 and they do not have any symptoms of concern, it is okay to send them to school if all of these apply:
- they have not had a fever for 24 hours
- they have not used medicine to reduce their fever for 24 hours, like paracetamol or ibuprofen
- they only have mild symptoms such as a mild cough, headache, or runny or blocked nose
- they appear well — they are happy, eating and drinking normally, and can easily focus on learning.
Even though your child may seem well enough to attend school, it is still possible they could have an infectious illness they could pass on. Remind them to cover coughs and wash their hands regularly to help reduce spreading germs to others.
If your child has a history of hay fever or allergies and they develop their usual symptoms — sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, coughing or an itchy face — they can go to school.
They should continue to take their usual allergy medication (antihistamines). If your child’s allergies are affecting them, let your child’s teacher know.
If your child only has a runny nose after a change in air temperature, for example, moving from outdoors to indoors, or they only sneeze because of the sun or dust, they do not need to be kept home from school.
Most skin problems will get better on their own and do not require treatment.
You can send your child to school if they have insect bites, cuts, scratches, grazes or eczema as these conditions are not infectious.
The KidsHealth website has information about skin problems in children. This will help you identify and manage skin infections, and make decisions on when your child can return to school.
If your child’s symptoms become worse or more frequent, consider if you need to keep them at home and whether they need health care.
Upcoming School Events
Students’ Religious Education (RE) Books going home
Monday 8th – Friday 12th June
Cultural Groups continue
Monday 8th June 9:30am-10:30am in Learning Communities
Gymnastics/Fundamental Skills Lessons for Year 5 (10am-11am) and Year 6 (11am-12:00)
Wednesday 10th June @ Bruce Pulman Park Recreation Centre
Celebrations for Philippines Independence Day
Friday 12th June 5:30pm – 7:30pm in Taamaua/school hall
School Gathering Liturgy and Assembly – led by Mr Kumar/LC Moana and Mrs Davies/LC Maunga
Monday 15th June @ 8:50am in Taamaua/school hall
Inter-school Netball Competition – Year 5&6
Tuesday 16th June @ Papakura Netball Courts
Fr Tony visiting Learning Communities
Wednesday 17th June @ school
New Families Information Morning
Thursday 18th June @ 9:00am school staffroom
Gymnastics/Fundamental Skills Lessons for Year 5 (10am-11am) and Year 6 (11am-12:00)
Thursday 18th June @ Bruce Pulman Park Recreation Centre
South Auckland Catholic Schools Mass (Years 5&6)
Friday 19th June @ St Anne’s Parish, Manurewa
Cultural Groups continue
Monday 22nd June 9:30am-10:30am in Learning Communities
Mahi Tahi Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences
Tuesday 23rd June 1:30pm-7:00pm and Wednesday 24th June 3:30pm-6:30pm @ school
PTFA Monthly Meeting
Tuesday 23rd June 7:00pm in the school staffroom
School Board Monthly Meeting
Wednesday 24th June 6:00pm in the school staffroom
PTFA School DISCO
Friday 26th June 5:30pm – 8:00pm in Taamaua/school hall
CAN Drive for St Vincent de Paul
From Monday 29th June
School Gathering Liturgy and Assembly – led by Mrs Sherlock/LC Awa and Mrs Buzmion/LC Whenua
Monday 29th June @ 8:50am in Taamaua/school hall
End of Term School Mass
Wednesday 1st July @ 9:30am in Taamaua/school hall – Fr Tony presiding
Term 2 Concludes
Friday 3rd July
Term 3 Commences
Monday 20th July
Upcoming Community Events
Artz on Show – July Holidays
Kiwi Conservation Club OPEN DAY
Date: Sunday, 21st June 2026
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm (stay for the whole day, or just a portion)
Location: Auckland Central Library
What to expect
Take a closer look at nature using hand lenses
Create nature-inspired art and crafts
Draw your favourite creatures
Relax in a quiet space with a nature video playing, or grab a book and have some story time.
How it works- Each activity station will run in short sessions (10–30 minutes)
- Stations will follow a simple timetable, so you can jump into activities throughout the day
- You’re free to choose your stations and rotate around as you like
- Spaces at each station are limited (around 10–20 participants) and will be first come, first served
On arrival
Take a break
Bring your friends!
Rebecca, Jesse & Mark
