Greetings, Kia ora, Kia orana, Talofa, Mālō e lelei, Namaste, Ni Hao, Bula, Hola, Kumusta, Namaskārām,
Sat Shri Akaal, Vanakkam and Ayubowan
Dear Families
How lovely and exciting it was to welcome our students, families and staff back to school this Monday for our last school term. It is hard to believe we are almost at the end of another school year!
On Monday, we welcomed our very newest students and their families with a spirited Whakatau – we extend a BIG Holy Trinity welcome to Nirban, Antonio, Franklin, Aaron and their respective families. We hope it won’t take too long before you feel a special part of our Holy Trinity School.
Term 4 is a busy time with many activities, especially all of the end of the year community events. Please take note of each of these special events so you are able to spend time with us celebrating as a Holy Trinity School Community, giving thanks and praise for all we have been gifted this year through our learning ka ako, loving ka aroha and serving ka manaaki, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Catholic Special Character External Evaluation Review
Earlier this year, we welcome Christine Smith and Viki Trainor from the Catholic Education Services Team in the Catholic Diocese of Auckland Office who spent two days with us as reviewers for our school’s Catholic Special Character Evaluation for Development Review. The purpose of the Catholic Special Character Evaluation process is to examine the effect of what is being done to safeguard and strengthen Catholic Special Character at our school. It also provides assurance to the proprietor/Bishop Steve Lowe and to our community that Holy Trinity School is authentically Catholic and we are meeting the goals of Catholic education.
Thank you to all of our school community people – our Board, our PTFA, a parent group, our staff and our students who spent time meeting and sharing with our reviewers and to the many people who completed the respective surveys.
Our School Board has accepted the final Catholic Special Character Evaluation for Development Review Report for Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School and we are delighted to be able to share it with our school community. It is an excellent report and highlights the wonderful work of all who are part of Holy Trinity School family as we endeavour for our school to be a place where Christ is at the centre of all that we do!
We have received a letter of congratulations from Bishop Steve and also lovely words below from our Vicar for Education – Catherine Ryan.
STRIKE Action
Staff from our school will be taking STRIKE Action on Thursday 23rd October. School employees who are members of NZEI Te Riu Roa and who are covered by the following collective agreements will not attend school on this day:
- Primary Teachers’ Collective Agreement
- Primary Principals’ Collective Agreement
- Support Staff in Schools’ Collective Agreement
THEREFORE Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School will be CLOSED for instruction and supervision on Thursday 23rd October.
Please make alternative arrangements for your child on this day.
Our sKids providers will confirm with school if they are intending to run a programme on this day in Taamaua/school for students who may need supervision and care for this day.
NZEI Te Riu Roa members are taking industrial action because the Government has failed to provide offers in negotiations that will ensure educators get the resources we need to support tamariki or the pay that will attract and keep quality professionals in our schools.
Jason Farley
Presiding Member
Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School Board
Board News …
Greetings from one of our newly parent elected Board members …
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for selecting me to serve as a member of the school board. I am truly honoured and grateful for the confidence you have shown in me.Presiding Board Member’s Position
At last month’s first Board meeting for our newly elected Board members, Jason Farley was elected to the role of Presiding Member.A presiding member’s role is to ensure that the board is effectively led.
They preside over board meetings, ensuring each member has a fair opportunity to be heard and understood, and that decisions are made in the best interest of the school, its students, and staff.
To achieve this, boards need to delegate key responsibilities to presiding members, such as:
- Working with the principal to set meeting agendas
- Leading their board to work as a team and ensuring that the work of the board is done
- Developing an effective and professional working relationship with the principal
- Inducting new board members
- Promoting clear communication between the board and the wider community
- Speaking for the board in public and/or to the media.
Congratulations Jason and THANK YOU for accepting this position of leadership and responsibility!
DRS Report
Whole School Mass
On Wednesday 8 October, we celebrated our beginning of Term 4 Mass with Father Mathew of St Mary’s Parish Papakura, at school. It was a great way to start the term, with the story of the prophet Jonah who witnessed the love and mercy of God to unfaithful people. A reminder for us all that God’s love and mercy follows us in our everyday interactions with each other.
Praying the Rosary in October
Each year, the Catholic Church dedicates the month of October to the Most Holy Rosary, honouring the Blessed Virgin Mary under her powerful title, Our Lady of theRosary. This devotion not only recalls a rich history of faith and victory but also invites the faithful to renew their commitment to prayer and contemplation of the mysteries of Christ through the Rosary.
During the month of October, our whole school will be gathering together to say a decade of the rosary in Taamaua/school hall every Monday, Wednesday and Friday as soon as the bell goes at 8:50am. You are welcome to join us for that 10 minutes in the morning to say the Roary together before we continue with our day.
Altar Servers
Recently, there was a commissioning of all new altar servers at our St Mary’s Parish in Papakura. We congratulate Conner Pasia, our newest recruit for altar servers. We look forward to having him serve not only at the Parish Masses but also our School Masses.
Whānau Hauora Day
There is a special event held at St Mary’s Church Papakura this Saturday from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. It’s a day of celebration of faith and faith journeys, with guest speakers and special performances. We encourage all our HTCPS families to attend and to especially come around 2:00pm to support our students in the Pasifika group performing just outside the main entrance of the church.
Mission NZ/Non-Uniform Day
World Mission Sunday is coming up on Sunday 19 October. It’s a special time to reflect on how we are being missionaries in sharing the Good News of Jesus today. We observe these three things:
• PRAY that we may be missionaries of hope among all peoples.
• DO what one can to help each other be missionaries of hope
• GIVE to the Pope’s missionary endeavours through a donation.
As a school, we will be having a non-uniform day next Friday 17 October where all our tamariki and staff will come to school dressed in something BLUE in honour of our Mother Mary as we continue our journey during the month of the Rosary. Please bring a gold coin donation to go towards Mission NZ.
Sacramental Programme Registration
Term 4 Staffing Update
We warmly congratulate Thea Guadalupe on her successful application to the NZ Teaching Council approving her Limited Authority to Teach registration. Thea has worked with us for almost 3 years in a Learning Assistant’s role. With her numerous qualifications and years of experiences she has now been able to apply for a teaching position. We are excited to have Thea join the Learning Community Whenua teaching team, welcoming and teaching our new entrant 5 year olds joining our school family this term. Congratulations Thea – we are very proud of you! Ka mau te wehi!
And we also warmly welcome Sonam Singh to our school staff team. Sonam is joining us in a Learning Assistant’s role and will be mainly working with students in Years 4-6 supporting with literacy programmes. Sonam brings a wealth of experience from her own teaching background in Fiji. She is a trained teacher and is currently working towards achieving her NZ Teachers registration. Thank you Sonam for sharing your gifts and talents with our kaitiaki team and your work with individual and small groups of students will be greatly appreciated. Sonam is working with us in a short term project capacity.
Save the Dates: Term 4 2025 End of Year Special Events and Activities
Please save the date for these ‘end of Term 4’ celebrations events and activities. These are all family/whānau events and we are delighted to warmly welcome our school families and wider school community to be part of each special event and activity where we celebrate who we are as a catholic school – rejoicing in our catholic faith, our students achievements and our school’s achievements from throughout 2025.
Thursday 30th October
Whole School Athletics Day 11:00am – 2:30pm
Community opportunity to meet with our new Board members
Friday 31st October
Rosary and All Souls Liturgy 9:00am-9:45am in Taamaua/school hall
Monday 3rd November
All Saints Liturgy/Assembly 9:00am-9:45am in Taamaua/school hall
Thursday 20th November
Orientation Morning for 2026 New Families and Students 9am – 12pm @ school
Friday 28th November
Praise-giving Awards Afternoon 12:00pm @ school in Taamaua/school hall
Friday 28th November
PTFA School Colour Fun Run 5:00pm – 6:30pm @ school
Monday 1st December
Liturgy and Assembly for Other School Leavers and Service/Leadership Awards 9:00am @ school
Wednesday 3rd December
Whole School End of Year Mass – Blessing and Acknowledgement of 2025 Year 6 Leavers and their families @ St Mary’s Church, Papakura 1:00pm followed by afternoon tea for Year 6 leavers and families back at school
Thursday 4th December
School Supporters and Helpers THANK YOU Morning Tea 10:30am @ school
Wednesday 10th December
Whole School Whānau/Family Picnic and Nativity Liturgy celebrations 5:00pm – 7:00pm @ school
2026 School Dates
The School Board has approved the 2026 school dates as:
Term One 9 weeks Tuesday 3rd February – Thursday 2nd April (84 ½ days)
Term Two 11 weeks Monday 20th April – Friday 3rd July (106 ½ days)
Term Three 10 weeks Monday 20th July – Friday 25th September (100 ½ days)
Term Four 9 weeks Monday 12th October – Tuesday 11th December (88 ½ days)
School must be open for 378 half days in 2026
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
Term 1 – Week 1 Friday 6th February Waitangi Day
EASTER – Friday 3rd April, Saturday 4th April, Sunday 5th April, Monday 6th April
Term 2 – Week 2 Monday 27th April – ANZAC Day
Term 2 – Week 7 Monday 1st June – King’s Birthday
MATARIKI – Friday 10th July
Term 4 – Week 3 Monday 26th October Labour Day
2026 TEACHER/STAFF ONLY DAYS:
Ministry of Education approved Curriculum Days allocation is x 2 full days – school will be closed for instruction. These dates are still to be scheduled.
PTFA News …
Calendar Artwork
Your children have been working hard on some great artwork for this year’s Calendar Art sales. Order forms will be sent hoem to families next week. These will be ready to order from Monday 13th October to Tuesday 28th October.Friday Ice Block Sales
Ice block sales will be held at school on the following dates
- 24th October
- 14th November
- 21st November
- 12th December
School Colour Fun Run – Friday 28th November 5:00pm -6:30pm at school
- Join us for an exciting afternoon / evening for the HTCPS Colour run
- We will have a great course along with food stalls and raffles
- Keep an eye out as we will be looking for sponsors and volunteers to help out with the event
Learning Community News
Learning Community Awa
Our concept learning for Term 4 is Serve. In LC Awa, we are exploring the roles and responsibilities of members in a community and how communities are made up of different groups of people who come together to serve.
In RE, we are learning that all the people in the world are part of God’s big family, which is made up of many different people in Aotearoa and all over the world. We are also learning that the Catholic Church is a special part of God’s big family. We are followers of Jesus when we show love and respond to the love we receive. This includes being loving, thankful, fair and showing respect to people at home and at school, and knowing why respect is important.
In Health and PE , students are very excited about Athletics Day and Play Week. They will learn other ways regular physical activity is important for our health and that looking after our bodies through regular movement is a way to serve our common home. For our outdoor education learning, tamariki will again be using flints to start a fire to make healthy soup from the veggies they themselves planted in Term 3 that they continue to look after, and toasted bread to support our healthy well being.
In Social Studies, learners will connect their learning from Kaitiakitanga, Systems and Innovation to Serve our common home by taking action to promote healthy well-being in our parish community. They will use the produce from LC Awa garden beds to make soup, gift packs, candles, and thanksgiving cards as acts of service to St Mary’s Parish in Papakura . These group tasks are part of our transfer task to serve and support our communities beyond HTCPS.
In Maths we have started learning more about non standard and standard measurements. Our tamariki are so excited measuring things around them and look forward to monitoring the growth of the plants they are growing.
Learning Community Ngahere
Kia ora whānau,
This term we have started our learning by exploring the concept of Serve, connecting it to what we have learned previously about Kaitiakitanga, Systems, and Innovation. Our tamariki have been thinking about how people serve in different communities, including school, church, family, sports, and cultural groups. They have been recalling examples, describing how people serve, and sorting and grouping ideas to understand how service helps others and supports our common home.
In Health and PE, students have been talking about movement, naming different ways to move their bodies and exploring how physical activities can help care for themselves and others. They are learning that being active is not just for fun, but it also contributes to the wellbeing of our community.
In Drama, learners have been identifying and understanding the five basic elements of drama: role, action, space, voice, and movement. They are practicing demonstrating each element through familiar scenarios and group activities, using their voice and body to communicate meaning clearly. Students are working cooperatively to take on roles and express ideas about serving others.
We are looking forward to continuing this learning throughout the term, exploring more ways to serve in our communities, develop our creativity, and connect our actions to caring for our common home. Our learners are excited to keep building their understanding of service, teamwork, and empathy, and see how their small actions can make a positive difference.
Learning Community Maunga
This term, our learners have begun their learning journey with engaging discussions centered around the theme of “Serve”. Building on their existing knowledge from previous learning on Innovation, our focus will now shift towards taking meaningful actions. Specifically, our tamariki will create posters and videos to promote local charitable organisations that are already providing essential support to our community. Through these activities, students will develop a deeper understanding of the importance of serving and how they can contribute positively to their local environment and community. In doing so, our learners will be actively engaged in serving our common home, fostering a sense of responsibility, compassion, and community spirit.
In Health and Physical Education, while exploring the concept of Innovation, our learners created inclusive games designed to serve and include all individuals. Building on their knowledge, they are also using the “Fill in the Bucket” book to make meaningful connections about caring for their own hauora (well-being) and the hauora of others. Through these activities, students are beginning to understand that serving our common home involves maintaining regular participation in physical activities, which promotes overall well-being. These efforts not only enhance their own health but also encourage others to experience and encounter Christ through acts of caring, sharing and community engagement.
Learning Community Moana
This term, our class is focusing on Personal Health and Physical Development alongside Social Sciences, exploring how we can make a positive impact in our communities and in our common home.
In Health and PE, students are learning how caring for their tinana (body) supports their overall hauora (wellbeing). We’re also making connections to how movement and physical activity help us encounter Christ through caring for ourselves, others, and the environment.
In Social Sciences, students are looking beyond their immediate experiences to explore different communities and understand how we can serve, nurture, and sustain our common home together. Our class is learning about how people contribute to their communities in different ways. We have had visitors come in to share how they serve and support others, helping students understand that everyone can make a difference, no matter how big or small the action.
As part of our learning, students are now gathering resources to create care packs, snack packs, blankets, and shoeboxes as their acts of service. These projects are part of our transfer task, where students put their learning into action by finding real ways to serve and support our wider communities.
Through this work, students are learning that service, empathy, and kindness help strengthen communities and care for our common home.
Celebrating Language Weeks
Macawa ni Vosa vakaViti – Fijian Language Week
Celebrate: 5–11 October 2025
Theme: Na noqu vosa me na tekivu mai vale – My language starts at home
This week, we celebrate the richness of Fijian language and culture! We are blessed to have several staff from the beautiful islands of Fiji who have created videos to help us learn everyday Fijian words and phrases.
We thank them for their generosity in sharing their language, culture, and delicious food with us all.
Vinaka vakalevu!
Celebrating Our Students!
WELL DONE to Kristoff Calongcagon from Learning Community Moana. Krsitoff was a volunteer at the 2025 Para Nationals New Zealand. His dedication to volunteering and helping the contestants was truly admired by the organisers. Kristoff was awarded a pin for volunteering which was presented to him by the current President of Counties Manukau Table Tennis Association and the National Para Coach, Joh Tuki. We are so very proud of you Kristoff – this is so inspirational and a wonderful example of what to means to “serve others in a wider community!”
Hauora/WellBeing News
Travelwise
Our Travel Wise learners have been busy visiting classes to share their fun quizzes and spread the word about safe, active travel! Congratulations to our lucky quiz winners — your travel knowledge really stood out! This term, the Travel Wise team will be on the lookout for students who bike, walk, or scooter to school. Get moving and you might be our next Travel Wise champion!
Winners:
LC Whenua – Hanisha Rexon
LC Awa – Addy Gumerno
LC Naghere – Ryleigh Juanta
LC Maunga – Aelwyd Job
LC Moana – Eva Abin
Awhi Team – Peer Mediators
Book Club and Duffy Books
Book Club Co-ordinator
Term 4 School Summer Uniform
Students are expected to be in the correct school uniform from Week 4 of Term 4, Tuesday 28th October (after Labour Day weekend). This includes the short sleeved blouse or shirt, open toed black school sandals and the school sunhat. Please name all items of clothing so that they can be returned to the children immediately when found.
Our School uniform is only available for purchase from NZ Uniforms on 20/5 Lambie Drive, Manukau.
All students are required to wear the correct school uniform for summer as listed below.
Girls Uniform
Tartan skort
Blue short sleeved monogrammed blouse (summer)
Black open toed school sandals (summer)
Navy bucket sun-hat monogrammed
Navy monogrammed school polar fleece OR school jacket
Boys Uniform
Navy shorts
Blue short sleeved monogrammed shirt (summer)
Black open toed school sandals (summer)
Navy bucket sun-hat monogrammed
Navy monogrammed school polar fleece OR school jacket
Please note that the school monogrammed jersey is still able to be worn as we remain in the ‘phasing out’ period of this item.
Attendance Dues Statements
Term 4 2025 Attendance Dues statements have been sent electronically to families this past week.
Please note that there are 3 options for payment of the Attendance Dues and Catholic Special Character Contribution
- Full amount paid by Internet Banking to ASB school account – details for payment are on the statement.
- Automatic Payment to be set up via internet banking to ASB school account
- Payment can be made at the school office – cash or Eftpos
Many of our families choose the AP (Automatic Payment) option to make a small payment each week or fortnight which helps families to manage their financial budget for the year. This is a very good option and one that is encouraged by our school. For those families paying by Automatic Payment (AP), please note that 2025 payments must all be completed by 1st December 2025.
Please see Carmel Stewart (Office Administrator) or Peta Lindstrom (Principal) in the strictest confidence if you have any concerns or questions regarding the payment of Attendance Dues.
Financial Assistance is available for payment of Attendance Dues.
Reminders!
2025 School Leavers
If you are leaving our school at the end of this year due to a change of circumstances (other than our Year 6 students), please email the school office as soon as possible – office@holytrinity.school.nz. We are currently managing our school roll numbers and this much needed information will help us to make decisions in regards to enrolments for 2026 placements. Thank you.
End of Day School Parking
Please DO NOT PARK on Airfield Road at any time especially NOT at the end of the school day. The Police and Auckland Transport have advised school traffic against parking on Airfield Road due to the volume and speed of traffic on the road and the poor design of the road for entry and exit into the school grounds. It is too dangerous and very unsafe for our children or family members to be crossing this busy road at any time.
Please also be considerate when parking in Kapowai Boulevard at the end of the day. We need family members collecting children to get out of their cars and to help walk the children across the road rather then calling them to the car. It is too busy and too congested to have the children head across the road without adult supervision. We have lodged a request with Auckland Transport to try and have the yellow no-parking lines moved to the other side of Kapowai Boulevard so families can park legally on the footpath side allowing children to exit and enter the cars more safely! We will keep you posted on the progress of this request!
Upcoming School Events
Rosary Prayer
Monday 13th October @ 9:00am in Taamaua/school Hall
Rosary Prayer
Wednesday 15th October @ 9:00am in Taamaua/school Hall
Rosary Prayer
Friday 17th October @ 9:00am in Taamaua/school Hall
Non Uniform Day – gold coin donation for MissionNZ
Friday 17th October
Diwali Celebrations commence
From Friday 17th October
NZ PLAY WEEK
Monday 20th – Friday 24th October
Gathering School Liturgy/Rosary and Assembly – led by Mrs Malgas/LC Awa and Mrs Nadan/LC Ngahere
Monday 20th October @ 9:00am in Taamaua/school Hall
Rosary Prayer
Wednesday 22nd October @ 9:00am in Taamaua/school Hall
Fr Mathew visiting Learning Community Whenua
Wednesday 22nd October
Dance Curriculum Workshops for all LCs
Wednesday 22nd October
STRIKE DAY – school closed for instruction and supervision
Thursday 23rd October
Rosary Prayer
Friday 24th October @ 9:00am in Taamaua/school Hall
Labour Day Weekend/Public Holiday – school closed
Monday 27th October
Monthly PTFA Meeting – planning for School Colour Fun Run
Tuesday 28th October @ 7pm in the school staffroom
Rosary Prayer
Wednesday 29th October @ 9:00am in Taamaua/school Hall
Monthly School Board Meeting
Wednesday 29th October @ 7pm in the school staffroom
Whole School Athletics Day
Thursday 30th October 11:00am – 2:3pm @ school
Community opportunity to meet New Board @ School Athletics Day
Thursday 30th October 11:00am – 2:3pm @ school
All Souls Day Liturgy and Rosary Prayer
Friday 31st October @ 9:00am in Taamaua/school Hall
Orientation Morning for 2026 New Families and Students
Thursday 20th November @ 9:00am at school
Praise-giving Awards Celebration
Friday 28th November 12:00pm @ school in Taamaua/school hall
PTFA School Colour Fun Run
Friday 28th November 5:00pm – 6:30pm @ school
Liturgy and Assembly for Other Leavers and Service/Leadership Awards
Monday 1st December @ 9:00am in Taamaua/school hall
Whole School End of Year School Mass/Acknowledgement and Blessing of 2025 Year 6 Leavers
Wednesday 3rd December 1:00pm @ St Mary’s Parish Church, Papakura
followed by afternoon tea for Year 6 leavers/families back at school
School Supporters and Helpers Morning Tea
Thursday 4th December 10:30am @ school
Whānau/Family Picnic and Nativity Liturgy celebrations
Wednesday 10th December 5:00pm-7:00pm at school
Term 4 Concludes for the 2025 year at 1:00pm
Tuesday 16th December
A Night at the Conclave
A very special event, A Night at the Conclave with Cardinal John Dew, taking place at 7.30pm on Friday, 21 November at St Mary’s College.
This is a rare opportunity for staff, students and families alike to hear Cardinal John share his personal reflections and insights on one of the most sacred and intriguing gatherings in the Church: the Papal Conclave. He will offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the mystery, history, and spirituality of this momentous occasion where the Holy Spirit guides the Church.
We know many young people are particularly interested in the Conclave, fascinated by its secrecy, its history, and the sense of the Holy Spirit at work in choosing a new pope. This evening will speak powerfully to both head and heart, offering inspiration and deepening understanding of our Church.
By attending, families will also be supporting the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Joseph, as all funds raised will go directly towards our Mother Church. A special student ticket price of just $19 has been made available to encourage young people to take part in this remarkable event or get a group together and pay just $150 for a group of ten people (adults and/or students).
A Night at the Conclave with Cardinal John Dew at St Mary’s College, 7.30pm, Friday 21 November. Discover the mystery of the Papal Conclave through Cardinal John’s unique insights. All proceeds support the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Joseph. Details & tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/conclave
Thank you for supporting this Diocesan initiative. We look forward to welcoming many of your staff, students and families at this remarkable evening.
Kind regards
James van Schie
General Manager
Catholic Diocese of Auckland
Community Events
