Principal's news Week 8 Holy Week

Holy Week Mass times

We would love to see you attend the Holy Week liturgies with your children. Here are the times.

Holy Thursday: 

St Patrick's Basilica 7pm Mass of the Last Supper. Our Year 8 Catholic Character leader Michael Misiloi is singing during the washing of the feet.

Good Friday:

Ecumenical Walk 10 am from St Paul's to St Luke's with the cross

St Patrick's Basilica 3pm Commemoration of Jesus Christ's Death

Saturday Easter Vigil:

St Patrick's Basilica 5pm

Kurow 7:30 pm

Easter Sunday:

St Patrick's Basilica 9:30am

image from happyeaster-2016.com

Stations of the Cross

This morning the whole school journeyed up to Mr Cartlidge's house. The Year 8's enacted the stations of the cross and we finished standing beneath the huge cross erected in Mr Cartlidge's garden. The cross is lit up at night and you can see it across Oamaru to remind us of the sacrifice that Jesus made to save us all.

Miss Lind and the Year 6 hub made a beautiful video about the stations of the cross. It has a powerful message for all of us. 

Engaged Learning in Action

Cushla and Georgia surveyed the Year 7 & 8's as part of their inquiry project into improving their learning spaces.They found that headphones would contribute to engagement in learning for some students. The girls organised two raffles and sold home made organic handscrubs at our recent food fair. They raised enough money to purchase these headphones for the senior hub. Well done girls.

Mrs Burke's News

It is with joy and excitement that we announce that Mrs Siobhan Burke and her husband Tim are expecting their second child. Mrs Burke will go on maternity leave during August in Term 3. Mrs Burke’s teaching position will be advertised to ensure we employ the best teacher available for this maternity leave vacancy. We will let you know who this will be closer to the time.

Pasifika Fono

Thanks to Mrs Misiloi for chairing the meeting last week. Here is a link to the minutes from the meeting.

DROP AND DRIVE

This is a reminder that this is NOT a place to park and leave your car.  It is for the safety of the children. Double parking is dangerous. You can park outside the Basilica or  in the carpark and walk into school. If your child is not out when you arrive, please don't sit and wait but drive around the block. Pass this onto grandparents and any other caregivers that pick up your children. The police are monitoring this. Thanks for your support especially for Mrs Burke when she helps to keep all children safe outside after school.

We wish everyone a safe and Holy Easter period and we look forward to seeing you all back at school on Wednesday.

2. Special Character Week 8 - Term 1 2016

Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

This week is Holy Week. The most important week in the Church's calendar. During the week we shared the events (in class and Koutuitui) leading up to the 'Crucifixion' on Good Friday and 'Jesus' Resurrection' on Easter Sunday. 

On Wednesday, Year 4 shared a beautiful presentation of 'The Washing of the Feet' and 'The Last Supper'. (See photos below). Today we shared in 'Jesus' Walk To Calvary' led by our amazing Year 8's. Many thanks to Mr Cartlidge for organising this.

Here are some Youtube video clips we  shared with the children.

Introduction to Easter Story

Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

The Death of Jesus

Jesus is Alive

Holy Week Events

We hope you all have a very happy and Holy Easter 

with family and friends. 

3. School Notices - Week 8, Term 1 2016

Altar Servers

Good Friday - 25th March - Elizabeth Plieger
Easter Saturday - 26th March - Elizabeth & Samuel Plieger and Joshua Criddle
Easter Sunday - 27th March - Rhea Ratgali, Michael Misiloi and Vince Vidallon

Birthday Greetings to
Seth Bartley, Jacob Bartley, Alexander Perniskie, Athena Toeke, Jada-Rose Keno and Freya Spooner

Easter Tuesday
Please note there is no school on Tuesday 29th March due to Easter Tuesday being a holiday.

Empty Colgate Products
The school is collecting empty Colgate products like toothbrushes, toothpaste boxes and anything with the Colgate brand on it as part of a recycling drive.  Please bring them to the office.

Netball Teams
The teams will be notified in next week's blog.

Polar Fleeces
It is still not too late to order a polar fleece.  Please let the office know if you would like to order one.

Rippa Rugby Teams
These teams will be notified in next week's blog as teams are still being finalised.

Spare Mobile Phones
We are still collecting old mobile phones which will be sent away as a fundraiser for Starship hospital.  If you have any unused phones laying around at home in drawers, please bring them to the office.

St Joseph's Swimming Champions
Congratulations to our swimming club champions who were presented with a swimming trophy at Kotuitui last Friday.

8 yrs - Atlanta Williams-McDowell and Jack Burke and Neighton Fraser
9 yrs - Indya Cunningham and Morgan Baillie
10 yrs - Elenoa Asi and Samuel Plieger
11 yrs - Stefanie Lavrijsen and Corbin Fraser
12 yrs - Emily Hayman and Elizabeth Plieger and Halalova Asi

Junior Medley - Elenoa Asi
Senior Medley - Corbin Fraser

North Otago Swimming Champions
Congratulations to the following students who got top 3 placings at the North Otago Swimming sports last week.

Jack Burke -  8 yrs - 3rd in 25m freestyle and 25m backstroke
Atlanta Williams-McDowell - 8 yrs - 3rd in 25m backstroke
Indya Cunningham - 9 yrs - 1st in 100 IM, 2nd in 25m backstroke and 25m butterfly and 3rd in 
                                     25m freestyle.
Baillie Morgan - 9 yrs - 1st in 25m freestyle, 25m backstroke, 25m breaststroke, 25m butterfly and 
                                       100m IM.
Levi Heffernan - 9 yrs - 3rd in 25m freestyle
Elenoa Asi - 10 yrs - 1st in 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke and 100m IM, 2nd in 50m freestyle 
                                   and  50m butterfly.
Samuel Plieger - 10 yrs - 2nd in 50m freestyle and 50m breaststroke, 3rd in 50m backstroke,50m 
                                         butterfly and 100m IM.
Stefanie Lavrijsen - 11 yrs - 2nd in 50m freestyle, 3rd in 50m backstroke and 100m IM
Molly Whittaker - 11 yrs - 2nd in 50m breaststroke and 3rd in 50m butterfly
Harriet Heaphy - 11 yrs - 3rd in 50m freestyle
Corbin Fraser - 11 yrs - 2nd in 50m freestyle,50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke, 50m butterfly and 
                         100m IM.
Matthew Gough - 11 yrs - 3rd in 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke, 50m breastroke and 100m IM
Halalova Asi - 12 yrs - 1st in 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke and 100m IM
Jacob Fowler - 12 yrs - 1st in 50m butterfly

School Garden
The school garden councillors have taken on the school garden this year with Skyla and Tristan leading the charge.  With the money left over from last year, they have bought half a trailer of Pukeuri compost and they will be looking at fundraising options for our school garden.  Any spare seedlings, herb plants or cuttings will be very much appreciated.

Community Notices

• NZ Red Cross - now offers you the option to complete your First Aid course through a blended learning approach.  Use the First Aid app to  learn and understand the basics, followed by a face-to-face practical skills workshop with a New Zealand Red Cross Instructor. Download the app at www.redcross.org.nz/corporate-bookings/aed-training
  

4. Diary Dates - Week 8, Term 1 2016

MARCH

Friday 25                   -  Good Friday holiday

Monday 28                -  Easter Monday holiday

Tuesday 29                -  Easter Tuesday holiday

Wednesday 30          -  ICAS examination notices due back in

Thursday 31              -  School Mass at 9.15 am with Yr 4 *

                                      -  Yr 8 Young Vinnies

APRIL

Friday 1                      -  Celebration Kotuitui at 2.30 pm *

Tuesday 5                  -  Baptism & Catholic meeting from 6.30 to 7.30 pm

Thursday 7                -  School Mass with Junior Hub 1  

                                      -  Yr 7 Early Childhood Buddies and Young Vinnies

                                      -  Home and School Meeting at 7.30 pm *

Friday 8                      -  North Otago Rippa Rugby Festival

                                      -  Celebration Kotuitui at 2.30 pm *

Monday 11                 -  Footsteps Dance Sessions

Tuesday 12                -  Footsteps Dance Sessions

Wednesday 13          -  Footsteps Dance Sessions

                                      -  Home & School selling tacos for lunch *

Thursday 14              -  Footsteps Dance Sessions

                                      -  Yr 8 Young Vinnies *

                                      -  School Mass at 9.15 am *

Friday 15                   -  Footsteps Dance Sessions

                                      -  Celebration Kotuitui at 2.30 pm

                                      -   School finishes for term 1

MAY

Monday 2                   -  School resumes for term 2 in winter uniform

Thursday 5                -  Yr 7 Early Childhood Buddies and Young Vinnies

                                      -  School Mass at 9.15 am *

Friday 6                      -  Chopper Mufti Day

Monday 9                   -  Junior School swimming starts

Tuesday 10                -  Film makers group session 1

                                      -  Baptism meeting at 6.30 pm *

Wednesday 11          -  Junior School swimming

Friday 13                    -  Junior School swimming

Monday 16                 -  National Catholic Day

Tuesday 17                -  Junior school swimming

                                      -  ICAS Exam – Digital Technology

                                      -  Film makers group session 2

Wednesday 18          -  Junior school swimming

Friday 20                   -  Junior school swimming

Monday 23                 -  Junior school swimming

Tuesday 24                -  Film makers group session 3

                                      -  Board of Trustee meeting

Wednesday 25          -  Junior school swimming

Friday 27                    -  Junior school swimming

Tuesday 31                -  ICAS Exam – Science

                                      -  Film makes group session 4 

1. Principal News - Week 7, Term 1 2016

Baptism
Many of our families have expressed an interest in learning more about getting their children baptised into the Catholic faith. As we have a large number of families, it is very hard to visit everyone individually. We are holding an information session for parents interested in finding out more about what baptism means for themselves or for their children. Please complete the slip on the letter going home today and return it to the school or parish office. We welcome any friends or families from outside the school to join if they are interested. Please share this with them as well.

St Joseph's Day
Tomorrow is St Joseph's Day. Our school is named after St Joseph. At a time when educators and parents are aware of their role as first teachers for their children, we remember with respect, Joseph who cared for and taught Jesus. We will celebrate St Joseph's day with a special liturgy during assembly tomorrow.

A beautiful statue of St Joseph in our entrance foyer.

Holy Week
Thanks to the junior school who presented the Palm Sunday story today at mass. Here is a video of them in action.

Next week is Holy Week. There won't be mass on Thursday morning but instead a special Holy Thursday walk. You can read more in the Special Catholic Character section below from Mrs Dooley.
Happy St Patrick's Day from all of us.

Sports Committee
The sports committee met for the first time for 2016 and reviewed the winter codes. All decisions about teams are discussed and approved by the Sports Committee. Thanks to our representatives on this committee for giving up your time to support sport at St Joseph's. You can read the meeting minutes at this link.

Home and School AGM
Are you interested in joining the Home and School fundraising association. Tonight is their Annual General Meeting at 7:30pm. Derek Beveridge is the guest speaker who will talk about youth affairs.
Special thanks to the Home and School parents for all of their hard work.

Life Education
Harold and the life Education Van will visit us on Friday for the next week and the children will have a chance to experience this great programme in actions. Life Education helps the children to make informed choices around their health and well being.

Phonebook
The phonebook committee had a chance to see the first proof of the 2016 big print phonebook. It is looking great and will be ready to distribute very soon. Thanks to Oamaru Print and Copy who are coordinating this fundraiser for us. Special thanks to Mr Burton, retired Art teacher from St Kevin's College who has been working with a group of budding artists to produce some work for the cover.
Here is a collage of some of the stunning art pieces they created using a variety of painting techniques.

Thanks to all of our staff who work hard to help your children Reach for the Stars as Lifelong Learners in the Catholic Faith.

2. Special Character - Week 7, Term 1 2016

Next week is Holy Week. During the week we will be sharing the events (in class and Koutuitui) leading up to the 'Crucifixion' on Good Friday and 'Jesus' Resurrection' on Easter Sunday. Today the Junior Hubs shared 'Palm Sunday' with us at out weekly mass.

Here are some Youtube video clips we will be sharing with the children.

Introduction to Easter Story

Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

The Death of Jesus

Jesus is Alive

Holy Week Events

Saturday 19th March is St. Joseph's Day. 

Classes will share a special 'St. Joseph's Day' Liturgy during assembly.
Year 4 will present 'The Washing of the Feet' and 'The Last Supper' at Koutuitui 1.50pm on Wednesday 23rd March. All family and friends are warming welcomed.

On Holy Thursday at 9.30am St. Joseph's School will be making a Special Pilgrimage up the Hill to 88 Aln St. (Paul Cartlidge's property). This Pilgrimage will be our way of  walking with Jesus on His way to Calvary. We will be making stops on the way to pray and sing. Family and friends are welcome to join us.