School Newsletter 4th September 2026

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 have received a special email from Bishop Steve announcing that he will be visiting our school on Friday 18th September! Bishop Steve has started a new initiative where he goes out to parishes once a month and spends the weekend there. He says all the Masses but also spends time visiting the sick, hearing confession, meeting with parishioners and the different groups in the parish and also visiting the parish schools.

Bishop Steve will spend this weekend at St Mary’s Parish in Papakura and his time with our school will be on Friday 18th September – this is very exciting for us! Bishop Steve will be spending time visiting each Learning Community and chatting with our children and also spending time chatting with our staff. We are looking forward to welcoming Bishop Steve into our beautiful Holy Trinity school family!

School Board Strategic Plan Consultation and Engagement Update

Your Voice Matters! What We Heard From Our Community

Thank you to our students, whānau, staff, parish and wider community who have shared their hopes, ideas and aspirations for Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School. Your feedback is helping shape our future Strategic Plan.

❤️ Faith at the Centre

You want Holy Trinity to continue growing as a faith-filled Catholic school where students:

• Live Gospel values every day
• Deepen their understanding of faith
• Strengthen connections between school, home and parish
• Learn through service, prayer and action

📚 Excellence in Learning

You told us that strong foundations matter. You want:

• High achievement in literacy and numeracy
• Support and challenge for every learner
• Engaging and meaningful learning experiences
• Consistent, high-quality teaching

🤝 Strong Partnerships

You value positive relationships between home and school and would like:

• Clear, regular communication
• Opportunities to understand and support learning
• Strong partnerships between staff, whānau and parish
• A community where everyone feels heard

🌏 Identity, Culture & Belonging

You want every child to feel proud of who they are. You told us:

• Culture, language and identity matter
• Diversity should be visible and celebrated
• Every learner should feel welcomed, included and valued
• Māori, Pacific and all cultural identities should be recognised and affirmed

💙 Wellbeing & Relationships

You want Holy Trinity to continue being a place where:

• Children feel safe and supported
• Positive relationships are prioritised
• Students develop confidence and resilience
• Wellbeing is nurtured in mind, body and spirit

🚀 Future Ready Learners

You want our learners to leave Holy Trinity with:

• Strong character and values
• Confidence and leadership skills
• Digital fluency and cyber safety awareness
• Problem-solving, collaboration and life skills
• The ability to thrive in a changing world

The Message We Heard Most Clearly: “We want Holy Trinity School to be a faith-filled, inclusive community where every child is known, valued and supported to achieve their potential, grow in confidence, celebrate who they are, and be prepared for their future.”

Together, we are shaping the future direction of Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School!

Thank You.

Learn ka ako, Love ka aroha, Serve ka manaaki in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

School Board
Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School 

Koroneihana Celebrations!

Our school was recently invited to join the Catholic Diocesan delegation to travel to Tūrangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia to attend the second anniversary of the Koroneihana (Coronation) of Kuini Ngawai hono i te po/our Māori Queen. Our school has been part of the past 2 years of hikoi – firstly to Kiingi Tuheitia’s tangi and secondly to the first anniversary of Kuini Ngawai hono i te po’s coronation.

This year, we once again joined with Manuel Beazley, Vicar for Māori, Diocesan personnel and representatives from other South Auckland Catholic schools as we gathered to honour Kuini Ngawai hono i te po. Manuel explained to us that a very special part of this event is called “kawe mate-ā-motu” which gives the whole of Aotearoa the opportunity to bring the memory of deceased loved ones to be remembered at Tūrangawaewae. Through the speeches made on the marae, all of the deceased who were brought on to the marae now become the dead of Te Arikinui – and of Tūrangawaewae. Whenever the dead are memorialised now and forever at Tūrangawaewae, our dead will be among them. This is the significance of the kawe mate.

We were very proud to be gathered with our wider catholic community for such a special time and to be able to present and carry our beloved deceased school and family members with us.

From our students … we had to get up very early so that we were in time to meet all the other catholic school people at Bombay MacDonalds! Mr Beazley shared with us about the day and how important it was and told us all of the things that will happen. We all prayed for safe travels and a happy day together and then we drove in convoy to Tūrangawaewae Marae. We had to park a long way away and then walk in to join hundreds of other people waiting to be welcomed onto the Marae. Brody held a photo of his Nanny Kawhia and when we were called in to the Marae during the powhiri, some of the kuia came and touched the photo and said a little blessing – it was a very special moment. They also told us that we should have gone through the top gate so that Kuini Ngawai hono i te po could see Nanny Kawhia – never mind! We sat near a big TV screen so we could see and hear all of the mihi and the waiata from the tangata whenua and from the manuhiri. It was a long day but we really loved the experience and enjoyed being a part of it all. By Brody, Sade and Te Awhina

DRS Report

Happy Father’s Day

On Friday, our school gathered in Taamaua/school hall to celebrate all our dads and father figures in our school whānau. Tamariki and kaitiaki of Pompallier Whānau led the beautiful celebration. It was wonderful to hear from our children what they loved most about their dad and to hear the testimony from some of our Dads on “what the best things about being a Dad” meant for them. We continue to pray for all our fathers and father figures as we especially celebrate them this weekend!

A very special and BIG THANK YOU to our school Dads and Grandad who shared heartfelt messages about “being a Dad and Grandad’ – we could feel the emotion, the honour and the pride as each one of you spoke to us. Kia mihi nui ki a koutou – Jaycob Walker (Alexandra’s Dad), Anton Pereira (Gabriel and Raphael’s Dad), Kyron Ostle (James and Ben’s Dad), Grandad Maea (Knoxtyn’s Grandad) and Joe Stephens (Kahurangi’s Dad) – we love you!

RE Books Coming Home

Next week, commencing Monday 7 September, 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 could spend some time with your child/ren to hear what new knowledge they have gained from their RE learning. 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.

Cultural Performance Evening

10 Year Anniversary – Save the Date!

Our School’s 10 Year Anniversary is going to be celebrated on Friday 30th October here at school!

The format for this day is likely to be:

10 Year Anniversary Celebration:

Teaching and Learning News

• An Interactive Maths practice tool for students in Years 3 to 8 is available on the Parent Portal- Ministry of Education Tāhurangi website
  Maths practice (education.govt.nz) 
• The practice tool content supports the New Zealand Curriculum and includes content covering number problems, working with money, counting, multiplying and dividing, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, powers, and roots.
• Students can practice in English, to help reinforce what they’ve learnt at school.
• Short, regular sessions will help students build confidence with Maths. This can be 10 to 15 minutes sessions, 3 to 5 times a week.
• You don’t need to be a Maths expert to support your child’s learning.
• Just by spending a few minutes together throughout the week, encouraging effort, and celebrating progress, you can help build confidence and the skills children need to thrive in Maths.
• The practice tool website has been developed following feedback from parents and whānau that they wanted practical ways to support learning at home.

Parent Education Workshop

Our third Parent Education Workshop is coming up again soon on Thursday, 17 September.

We would love to see even more parents and whānau join us. To make it easier for families to attend, we are offering two sessions:

• Morning: 8.30am–9.00am
• Afternoon: 2.15pm–2.45pm

These workshops provide practical strategies and ideas to support your child’s learning at home. Each Learning Community will have a specific focus, so please check the HERO notices for more information. If you haven’t been able to join us yet, we encourage you to come along. 

New Families Meeting

There will be a New Families Meeting on Tuesday, 8th September 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.

Speech Competition News

Timothy Isip, our Year 6 student representative, was voted by his peers and teachers to represent our school at the Rehu Tai Speech Competition, competing against students from schools across Takanini and Papakura. We were thrilled when Timothy won the competition! This outstanding achievement saw him progress to the next level, where he represented the Papakura Cluster at the Auckland wide Rehu Tai competition held at Dilworth Junior College. Although he did not place, Timothy performed exceptionally well and should be incredibly proud of how confidently he represented our school and the Papakura Cluster.
Timothy then went on to compete in the South Auckland Catholic Schools Speech Competition, where he achieved an impressive second place, missing out on first by only a very small margin!
The heart of Timothy’s speech was a powerful reflection on how his two cultures have helped shape him and make him the strong person he is today. He shared his pride in who he is and the strength that comes from embracing and celebrating his Filipino and Kiwi culture.
We congratulate Timothy on his incredible journey and commend him for his courage, perseverance and willingness to stand proudly in front of others and share his voice. Ka mau te wehi, Timothy! We are so proud of you!

Learning Community News

Whenua

Learners in Whenua have wrapped up their Firewise learning! They have been learning about fire safety and what to do in an emergency. It would be wonderful to see some photos of these on our Learning Wall on Hero! You could take a photo of your child standing next to their letterbox with their meeting place sticker and share it with us.

We have also been busy learning all about dance, technology, and of course reading, writing, maths and RE. In dance and technology we have retold the story of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” through movement and have been busy learning our cultural group dances. We have been learning about the Design Thinking Process (DTP) in technology, to help us make prototypes to show how we can preserve stories.

We would also like to thank all the parents that came to our Week 6 Parent Education Workshop. We understand that there were a lot of questions and we look forward to seeing you at the next workshop in Week 9 Thursday 17th September, to hopefully answer all of these. 

Ngahere

Ngahere learners have had a busy and exciting week filled with lots of learning, creativity, and teamwork!

In Religious Education (RE), our tamariki have been exploring our Gospel stories and the special messages and values they teach us. They have been creating their own stories to show how we can live out these Gospel values in everyday life, both at home and at school. Through this learning, our children are discovering how they can share hope, love, kindness, compassion, and faith with others.

In Technology, our learners have been using Book Creator to bring their ideas to life. They are learning how to design, create, and improve their digital storybooks as they develop new technology skills. This learning grew from our exploration of our school’s “Following the Footsteps” story, where we noticed an opportunity to preserve and share our Gospel stories and values so they can continue to inspire others in the future.

Our learners have also been busy exploring Dance. They are choosing movements and dance elements to communicate the message of a Gospel story that is meaningful to them. Through dance, they are discovering another creative way to preserve and share our Catholic stories and inspire others to live as people of hope.

Our children have also enjoyed creating special cards for our Father’s Day celebration. They put lots of care and creativity into their designs to make something meaningful for their dads and father figures.

It has been wonderful to see our Ngahere tamariki learning, creating, collaborating, and sharing their ideas in so many different ways. We are very proud of the enthusiasm and creativity they continue to bring to their learning!

Awa

Learners from the Learning Community Awa have had a busy week as we have been learning about being Firewise. We have been learning about the safety measures of “Get Down, Get Low, and Get Out (fast)”, as well as discussing how to stay safe if a fire occurs. The learners have explored different ways fires can start and the importance of making safe choices around heat, matches, candles, and other sources of fire. They have also been learning about the importance of having an emergency plan, knowing where to go, and listening carefully to trusted adults during an emergency.

Maunga

Maunga learners have been working hard over the last two weeks to complete tasks and collect evidence that will demonstrate how they have achieved their goals, and are writing reflections to post on their Learning Walls in Reading, Writing and Maths. As well as putting their ideas and thoughts together in the concept learning tasks so they can explain to you why their chosen Sacraments (Yr 4) or Catholic Social Teachings (Yr 5) are important to preserve for future generations.

Last Thursday, Maunga learners had an amazing Outdoor Education Day filled with adventure, hands-on learning, teamwork and plenty of fun! It was fantastic to see our students stepping outside their comfort zones, challenging themselves and showing resilience when things got tricky. We were especially proud to see them working together, encouraging one another and demonstrating great teamwork and cooperation.

Throughout the day, learners took part in a range of exciting activities, including cooking kūmara over an open fire, flax weaving, a water challenge and Move Well cooperative games. Each activity provided opportunities for our learners to try something new, develop practical skills and learn in a different environment.

A huge thank you to our wonderful parent helpers who generously gave their time and energy to support us throughout the day. Your involvement made such a difference and helped create a fun, safe and memorable experience for our learners. It was a wonderful day of learning, discovery, connection and adventure — and one that our learners will certainly remember!

Moana

Last Thursday, our learners had a wonderful Outdoor Education Day, enjoying a range of activities and learning experiences outside their usual classroom environment. Learners enjoyed kumara cooking on open fire, flax weaving, water challenge and other move well (co-operative games). It was great to see our students challenging themselves, working together, showing resilience and supporting one another throughout the day. They had opportunities to develop new skills, step outside their comfort zone and learn through hands-on experiences.

A big thank you to all our parent helpers who gave their time and support to make the day possible. Your help and encouragement helped make the experience enjoyable and meaningful for our learners. It was a fantastic day of learning, adventure, teamwork and fun! 

Throughout this week, learners  have been gathering evidence and reflecting on their learning from the term. In Literacy, they are exploring poetry and poetic devices. Learners are learning to identify similes, metaphors, alliteration, assonance, personification and onomatopoeia in poems. They are also looking closely at how poems are organised, including identifying stanzas and discussing how different poetic devices create meaning and make poems more interesting. Through oral rehearsal and buddy discussions, learners are practising these poetic devices in their own words before writing their ideas.  It has been wonderful to see our learners building their confidence in using language creatively and sharing their thinking with others.

Outdoor Education Day

PTFA News …

Read-a-thon Winners!

Congratulations to …

Hauora/WellBeing News

Online GP care now free for all under-14s

 With lots of winter illnesses about right now, health services are experiencing very high demand. If you need to speak to a GP and can’t get in to your usual doctor or its after hours, Online GP provides a great option for accessing safe and quick care. The service is available from anywhere in the country, anytime day or night, and is now free for all under-14s.

 Appointments usually take place through a video app or a phone call, and the service can prescribe medicine and send prescriptions to your nearest pharmacy.

 It also provides another care option for rural communities, reducing the need to travel.

 To learn more visit Online GP Care: https://www.healthnz.govt.nz/online-gp-care

 Online GP costs for young people

 For more info on which health service to use when you or your child are unwell visit: www.healthnz.govt.nz/which-health-service-should-i-use

 For advice on when you should keep your child home from school or ECE if they’re unwell visit: www.healthnz.govt.nz/knowing-if-your-child-is-well-enough-to-go-to-school-guidance-for-parents

 Or download this factsheet: https://healthed.govt.nz/collections/school-guidance/products/should-i-keep-my-child-home-from-school-or-childcare-he7040

Sports News

Kia Ora Whanau,

Last week was an exciting and busy week for our Year 5 and 6 tamariki as they participated in the St. Anne’s Shield Sports Competition! Our school’s netball and soccer teams demonstrated great performances both on and off the field, showcasing our school’s Gospel values. The tamariki had a fantastic time competing against nine other Catholic schools, displaying their talents and sportsmanship.

A special congratulations to our soccer team for their impressive achievement in finishing second—just inches away from lifting the trophy! With your continued support, we are motivated to work even harder next year to reach new heights.

Our basketball team also shone brightly, showing great enthusiasm and resilience. They played four games, winning three, and narrowly missed out on one. Their teamwork and unity on and off the court were truly inspiring.

Additionally, our school came alive during the Cross Country event last Friday! All tamariki took part, demonstrating determination and a strong desire to do their best for their whānau. The day was filled with fun, energy, and colourful whānau cheer, with each team supporting and encouraging one another. As they competed, our tamariki also learned the importance of being healthy and active.

Big hats off to our coaches and parents for showing their fantastic support—your encouragement makes a huge difference!

Thank you to everyone for your support and encouragement. We are proud of our tamariki’s efforts and look forward to more successful and fun sporting events in the future! 

Mr Kumar
Sports Co-ordinator

Holy Trinity Netball Club Prize-giving

Thank you so much Larce Kippen for taking on the position of leading and managing the Holy Trinity Netball Club these past 3 years. You have been magnificent and we are so grateful for the huge amount of work you have done in the background and in the forefront that has meant our children have had an opportunity to participate in Saturday Sports netball competition over the winter season. You have been so dedicated to your role and have helped to grow netball across the school! Congratulations to you and your family for being fantastic supporters of our school community. You are awesome! And Congratulations to all of our netball prize-giving recipients!!

‘

2026 Holy Trinity Netball Club Prize-giving Recipients

Year 5 – Trinity Saints

Most Improved Player: Victoria Vredenburg

Most Valued Player: Precious Peter Tulaga

Year 6 – Trinity Warriors

Most Improved Player: Emily Martin

Most Valued Player: Khloe Kippen

Most Valued Player: Isaiah Raega

Player of the Year

Sierra-Marie Watkins

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori / 14 – 20th September

This year, Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori celebrates Te Reo Towns and the communities across Aotearoa that have helped keep te reo Māori alive and growing.

The theme Ake, Ake, Ake – A Forever Language reminds us that we all have a part to play in ensuring te reo Māori continues to flourish into the future.

From whānau who have spoken te reo Māori for generations to those just beginning their reo journey, every word makes a difference. At Holy Trinity, we can help by using te reo Māori at school and homes.

Have a go at home!

You don’t need to know lots of te reo Māori. Start small and make it part of everyday life:

• Greet each other with kia ora or mōrena.
• Learn one new kupu together.
• Practise counting in te reo Māori.
• Use simple words such as kai, wai, whare and kura.
• Ask your child to teach you something they have learnt at school.
• Enjoy a Māori waiata or story together.

Have a go, learn together and celebrate every new word.

Together, we can help te reo Māori flourish at home, at school and in our community.

Ake, Ake, Ake – A Forever Language.

School PHOTO DAY

Kia ora Holy Trinity Whānau

Our 2026 School Photo Day will be Wednesday 16th September. School photos will be taken in Taamaua/school hall.

Siblings/family photos will commence at 9:00am on this day. Please be at school for this time.

Children have brought home a ‘PHOTO DAY Flyer’ with the Photo Day information.

SIBLING Forms are on the back side of the flyer for students who request a sibling image to be taken.

The Photo-life form needs to be returned by FRIDAY 11th of September to the School Office.

The Online Photo Access Key will be sent to you AFTER the Photo Day to purchase.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact our school office with any queries.

Kind regards

Jocelyn Ochoa
Office Administrator

Job Vacancy

We are looking for a reliable, practical and enthusiastic School Gardener to help keep our College grounds looking their best.

• 15 hours per week
• Days and work schedule are negotiable

The role will include:

• General gardening and grounds maintenance
• Lawn mowing and edging
• Trimming hedges, shrubs and garden areas
• Weeding, planting and general garden care
• Keeping outdoor areas tidy and well presented
• Assisting the College Caretaker with general property and maintenance duties where necessary

We are looking for someone who takes pride in their work, enjoys working outdoors and is able to work independently as part of our College community.

Previous gardening or grounds-maintenance experience would be an advantage.

Interested?

We would love to hear from members of our College or wider community who may be interested in the position.

Please contact the Principals PA – pa@ignatius.school.nz, for further information or to express your interest.

Airfield Rd Roadworks Update for September

Vector will be continuing to work on Airfield Road in the month of September. Please refer to the map to see the areas that they will be working in. This will not compromise the road traffic flow and a two way road system should remain at all times. Thank you for your continued care and patience as you travel down Airfield Road.

Please click on the link to read further detailed information – Roadworks Information September 2026

Takaanini Rail Crossings Programme: Community Feedback

City Rail Link opens next month which means more trains across the network, big cuts in journey times and it will be easier to connect with people and places. Replacing level crossings with safer connections is a key part of making it happen and allowing more trains to run in the future, while making it safer to get around your local area.

• Safer, easier and better-connected journeys. People want improved connections for all between home, shops, schools and public transport, with safe separation from heavy vehicles and large trucks, especially at busy intersections or at pedestrian crossings.
• Address congestion, not add to it. Congestion is already a significant issue in Takaanini and people want new bridges that improve traffic flow and minimise bottle-necks, especially at intersections.
• Design for future growth. The bridges should accommodate Takaanini’s growing population and future transport demands.
• Support local businesses and freight. Easy access for customers, staff, deliveries and freight is important to support the local economy.
• Enhance public safety. Good lighting, CCTV, clear sightlines and well-designed public spaces are important – especially under the bridges.
• Reflect Takaanini’s identity. Bridge designs should celebrate local heritage, culture and community pride.
• Create community benefits. Land around the bridges should provide green spaces where people can gather and play, alongside natural features to support flood management and local biodiversity.
• Minimise disruption during construction. People want regular communication during construction and are willing to accept more short-term disruption if it means the bridges are built sooner.

Upcoming School Events

Social Justice Week
Monday 7th – Friday 11th September

Cultural Group practices
Monday 7th September 9:15am -10:30am @ school

Student Religious Education (RE) Books Coming Home
Monday 7th – Friday 11th September

New Families Information Morning
Tuesday 8th September 9:00am in the school staffroom 

Cultural Group School Rehearsal – school travelling by bus to St Ignatius College for practice
Thursday 10th September 9:30am -12:00 @ St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College, Drury

Outdoor Education Day for Learning Community Awa
Friday 11th September @ school

School Gathering Liturgy and Assembly – led by Mrs Griffiths/Mrs Buzmion/Mrs Guadalupe and LC Whenua students
Monday 14th September @ 8:50am in Taamaua/school hall

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori/Māori Language Week activities
Monday 14th – Friday 18th September 

School PHOTO DAY
Wednesday 16th September @ school

Fr Tony King-Archer visiting in Leraning Communities
Wednesday 16th September 10:00am – 11:30m @ school 

Parent Education Workshops – Session 3
Thursday 17th September 8:30am-9:00am and 2:15pm-2:45pm in Learning Communities

School End of Term Mass – Fr Tony King-Archer celebrating – led by Patrick Dunn Whānau
Thursday 17th September @ 9:30am in Taamaua/school hall

HTCPS Cultural Groups Performance Evening
Thursday 17th September 5:30pm – 8:30pm @ St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College, Drury

Bishop Steve Lowe visiting School – spending time with students and staff
Friday 18th September @ 9:00am 

Duffy Books in Homes – Role Model Assembly
Friday 18th September @ 9:30am in Taamaua/school hall

School Board Strategic Plan Development Day
Saturday 19th September @ 9:00am-12pm in the school staffroom

Term 3 Curriculum Reporting PUBLISHED on HERO
From Monday 21st September 

PTFA Monthly Meeting
Tuesday 22nd September 7:00pm in the school staffroom 

School Board Monthly Meeting
Wednesday 23rd September 7:00pm in the school staffroom 

Outdoor Education Day for Learning Community Ngahere
Thursday 24th September @ school

Term 3 Concludes 2:50pm
Friday 25th September 

Term 4 Commences 8:50am
Monday 12th October

Upcoming Community Events

 SPRING SWIMMING LESSONS STARTING SOON!

Summer will be here before we know it — now is the perfect time to get swimming!

Lessons run monthly
Fees are charged monthly
Build confidence and skills before summer
Secure your preferred lesson time before the summer rush

What are you waiting for? Beat the rush, get back in the water and be summer ready!

Book your spring swimming lessons now! Contact Swimsation (09) 948 2414

admin@swimsation.com 

Swimsation has improved its technology and now has an APP to help you manage your swimming bookings. It is live and ready to download:
Android: Swimsation APP (Android)
Apple: Swimsation APP (Apple)

Artz on Show School Holiday Programme