1. Principals News - Week 6, Term 2 2023

 Kia Ora Parents and Whanau

Welcome to winter with June officially being the start of winter.  I am pleasantly surprised by the mild temperatures and the ability for our children to be outside at break times.

Teachers Paid Union Meeting

Thank you for your support and understanding with the Teachers Paid Union Meeting on Wednesday.  I hope that this will be the last disruption to the children's learning during this contract round. The action of interrupting children's learning is a very last resort for teachers. Teachers in New Zealand are voting on the present offer over the next few days.  We and the media will keep you informed of progress.  I am sure you are supportive of teachers receiving a good outcome so that we can retain and recruit the best people to teach your children.

National Young Leaders Day

On Tuesday, I accompanied 22 of our senior students to the National Young Leaders Day (NYLD) in Dunedin.  The town hall was packed with aspiring young teachers from right across Otago and Southland.  We were treated to outstanding motivational speakers and role models.

School Choir

Our St Joseph's choir of 33 members has been busy practicing their school songs for the North Otago Music Festival being held on Tuesday 13th June at the Oamaru Opera House.  The school has been hosting the other Oamaru schools for the mass school items.  If you wish further tickets, please contact the office.

Junior Catholic Quadrangular Tournament

Next Wednesday, 7th of June, 17 of our senior students will be involved in the Junior Catholic School's Quadrangular tournament held in Dunedin. The students will be travelling by bus with teams from St Kevin's.  I am sure you will join with me in wishing the St Joseph's teams all the very best for their competition games.

Uniform 

We are concerned by the number of students who are not wearing the correct school uniform.  I have included the official school uniform list from our School Prospectus.  

All students should be wearing their winter uniforms including BLACK LEATHER SHOES, not sports shoes.  Winter uniform items are available for purchase from the uniform shop so please ask at the office.  Please email teachers if there is a reason why your child is not wearing black leather shoes or a full school uniform if your child is in years 4-8.

A reminder for students in years 4-8, they wear their full school uniform each day and bring their PE uniforms to school on Mondays so it is available for when they have PE.  They take their PE uniforms home each Friday to wash and bring back for the following week.  Please note, junior students in years 1-3 may wear their PE uniform to school for their PE days.

Nga Mihi

Allan Mitchell

Acting Principal

2. Faith Facts - Week 6, Term 2 2023

Welcome to the End of Week 6 and Trinity Sunday celebration on this our 1st Kings Birthday Weekend. 

Thank you to Father Fredy for guiding our Parent Meeting last Tuesday evening on the introductory rite of Baptism. Our candidates will receive the Sacrament of Baptism in our school Mass in week 10 after receiving in-school instruction.

Our Thanks and Appreciation go to our Yr 7 and 8 leaders for proclaiming the Gospel, sharing prayers and Mihi for our Pentecost Mass in Week 5, and again to our lovely Ruma Kiwi students for their growing leadership with proclaiming the Gospel, sharing prayers and Mihi for our Mass celebrating Trinity Sunday.  

A special mention to our Altar servers, Technicians and Kapahaka leaders as they all practice Reverence in their ministeries.

The month of June is devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.                 

Week 6 29th May - 2nd June

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
28 PENTECOST SUNDAY 8th WEEK of ORDINARY TIME	29 The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church	30	31 The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary	1 St Justin, martyr	2 Sts Marcellinus and Peter	3 Sts Charles Lwanga & companions

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
TO THE THEME FOR 2023 is Do Good; seek justice (Isaiah 1:17)

At least once a year, Christians are reminded of Jesus’ prayer for his disciples that “they may be one so that the world may believe” (see John 17.21). Hearts are touched and Christians come together to pray for their unity. Congregations and parishes all over the world exchange preachers or arrange special ecumenical celebrations and prayer services. 

Wednesday was the feast of The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. What joy there was when the two cousins met. Both pregnant and both blessed. As many mothers will know, the opportunity to share the joys and quirks of pregnancy is a special time. It is a real and human time shared with us in these scriptures. We are enabled to enter and share this special moment in Mary and Elizabeth's life many centuries later.