School Newsletter - Term 1, Week 2 2024

Friday 9th February 2024

TERM 1 WEEK 2

Kia ora whānau,

What a busy time we have had, it has been lovely to see all our tamariki at school and happy to be back. I was lucky enough to be in Pukeko room the other day (our Y0-Y1) and watched them welcome a new student who was here for school visits. I was moved by the way they embraced this student and showed her the classroom and included her in their learning.

Our Year 8 students have been amazing at leading school prayers on a Monday and our whole school mass last Thursday. They ran the mass along with Mrs Misilioi and stepped up into their leadership roles with ease and comfort.

Tino pai Takahe

Pukeko and Kererū class attended the parish mass in the Dean O’Reilly lounge this week, we got to share the mass with the parishioners and the students were in awe of being up close and personal to the mass and sitting with our community who are helping to grow our students in their faith. We will keep joining the parish every Thursday and each class will have an opportunity to attend with our parish community. I thank them for their support, and enthusiasm with welcoming us.

Our teachers have been working hard to get to know all their students and we are now into the swing of testing and setting up routines for learning. We are looking forward to getting to know our community more over the next few weeks. Please come along to our family picnic on the 16th February 5pm - 7pm where we will be sharing kai (food) and taking this opportunity to have a community consultation about vision and focus for the future of St Joseph’s. All you need to do is bring eating utensils (plate, knife, & fork). If it is raining we will still go ahead with this and eat inside.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Whole school Mass - Wednesday - Ash Wednesday

Class mass- 9:15 (in the Dean O’Rilley lounge) Kiwi

School swimming will be in the morning session on Monday & Friday

Family Picnic - We will be having a family picnic on 16th February 5pm - 7pm, please join us for a sausage sizzle and a special treat for tamariki. You are welcome to bring your own food. This will be a great opportunity to get to know each other and share some information about the vision and focus of our school. A note will come home soon with your child.

School swimming is well underway and a special thanks to Mrs Spillane for making sure that all our tamariki are in the correct lessons.  Senior school swimming sports will be held on 28th February 9:30-12:30, this is for students year 4 - year 8. Students wear their PE uniform but also need to bring spare set of clothes to wear at the pool, this clothing can represent their house and their colour. This gives students a chance to compete for their house and earn house points. Students who swim in the small pool will not be competing but come along to support their house. Students need to make sure they are at school before 9am and we will be walking to the pool at 9am sharp. Please make sure they bring togs, towel, goggles, drink bottle and lots of healthy food to eat.

If you can help please let the office know.

FEW REMINDERS

Please remind your child that when packing their lunch we do not bring lollies to school, as we have noticed a few students bringing these to school. We understand that it is hard to entice your child to eat lunch but please remind them no lollies.

Reminder to ensure your child has the correct school sun hat, for Term 1 & Term 4. We require all students to wear sun hats to stay sun smart.

You can order subway on Friday for your child’s lunch, this needs to be at the office before 9am. We will be starting a sausage sizzle soon which will be $2 per sausage. More news on this soon.

There are still many outstanding administration forms, if you have lost yours please contact the office to get another one.

Teams will be notified soon regarding touch rugby and futsal. We desperately need 1 - 2 more players in our year 3 - year 4 futsal team, please let the office know if your child can play. This needs to be done by Monday.

Uniform shop will be open 2:30 - 3:00 pm every Friday afternoon until further notice

Piano lessons - Monday afternoon available during school time this is with Peter McMullan, please phone 027 4211 216 for tuition fee pricing. (this is an extra service and fee will apply)

WAIHO I TE TOIPOTO, KAUA I TE TOIROA

LET US KEEP CLOSE TOGETHER, NOT WIDE APART

STUDENT NEWS

We warmly welcome our new students to St Joseph’s; Micou B, James A, Tinofara M, Louis H, Ziabelle D, Nicole V, Rhyen B.  

Student Leaders

Here are our wonderful year 8 leaders

Head boy - Liam

Head girl - Millie

Head boy special character - Tendayi & Tevita

Head girl special character - Sephrin & Amanda

Guzman house captains - Jayda, Analiese, Malachi

Siena house captains - Eizabel, Hiera, Tinofara

Lima house captains - Amanda & Mele

Technology leaders - Malachi, Mele, Levi

Librarian - Molly

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS

SPECIAL CHARACTER TERM 1 WEEK 2 2024

Welcome and Malo e Lelei,

Last Thursday we had our School Beginning of the Year Mass and also the blessing of our Senior Leaders at the Basilica. Thank you to our parishioners and parents for attending and supporting our school mass.

This week we had our first class Mass with the parishioners. Ruma Pukeko and Ruma Kereru lead parts of mass with the first reading and couple of Intercessory prayers. It was a beautiful Mass, a way of connecting and building strong relationships with our parish family, led by Fr Eli.Thank you Fr Eli.

Ash Wednesday

We are celebrating Ash Wednesday Mass together with the parish at the Basilica at 9.15am Mass. We welcome you all to join us. Our tamariki will lead part of the Mass with singing and reading.

Prayer

We give thanks to God for the gifts that our students bring to our school community and may they be disciples of your love, treasuring the gift of faith as they continue to grow in friendship with Jesus. We ask this through Christ Jesus your Son.

AMEN

Faith Facts

Waitangi Day

Bishop J. B. F. Pompallier arrived in New Zealand in 1838, and established many Catholic missions.

Pompallier was sympathetic to Māori concerns, and for his time, he had an enlightened view towards Māori culture. He was at Waitangi when the Treaty was signed on 6 February 1840, and asked Lieutenant- Governor Hobson for his promise to protect the Catholic faith. This pledge is sometimes referred to as the unwritten “fourth article” of the Treaty, and is said to protect and recognise not only major western religions, but also Māori custom.

Abridged from, The Treaty of Waitangi Information Programme State Services Commission 2005 Image: https://hokiangapompallier.org.nz/pompallier- history/

Ofa atu mo e hifaki. Blessings

Tua Misiloi DRS

1. Principal News Term 4 Week 9 2023

Reports

The end-of-year teacher comment will soon be (or maybe already is) on your child's Educa profile.  Please let your child's teacher know if you have any difficulty accessing the profile.  

END OF YEAR CELEBRATIONS

Wednesday 13th December - End of Year Mass

This is held in the Basilica at 6.00 pm.  Children are to meet at school at 5.45 pm in their correct summer uniform.  (No PE uniform)

We will be celebrating Mass and including:

- The junior school nativity performance.

- Awarding the JJ awards to one child in each year group.

- Prize-giving for our year 8s.

- The graduation candle ceremony.

Everyone is encouraged to attend and it is always a wonderful way to celebrate together another wonderful year. 

Just Like Jesus Awards

These Just Like Jesus (JJ) awards are given out annually, one to each year group.  The recipient of the JJ award in each year group is a child who we think most exemplifies being Just like Jesus and who is a role model to others.  

Thursday 14th December - Final Assembly

Whānau are invited to our Final Assembly. Our head students will present their leaving speeches in our final assembly starting at 2pm.  We will present the leavers' certificates and hand over the leadership roles to the year 7s for next year and will finish with carols.

The start date for term 1 next year is Wednesday 31st January. 

Stationery lists will be on our school webpage.  They will also be handed out next week.  

Thank you whānau for your support and encouragement in 2023 in our school and I wish you a Happy Christmas and every blessing for the New Year.

Ma te Atua e manaaki a aroha,

(God bless, and love)

Nicola Winders 

Deputy Principal

2. School Notices - Week 9, Term 4 2023

 QUOTE FOR THE YEAR

Birthday Greetings from December to January

Chris G, Maria H, Henry H, Chelsea K, Ricky K, Hila'atu L, Roger L, Dolleen M, Anashae M, Nicol R and Eizabel T

Buses - Next Week

All country buses will be running at the normal times as some of the high schools are open till next Friday.  On Friday, the buses will only run in the morning and we ask for all families to collect their children from school that day.

Christmas and Holiday Mass Times 2023/2024

St Patricks Basilica

Christmas Vigil: Carols 8.00 pm, Mass 8.30 pm

Christmas Day:  Mass 9.30 am

Sacred Heart Church Kurow

Christmas Vigil: 6.00 pm Mass

Sunday Mass: January 7, 21 @12.00 noon

General Mass Times:

St Patrick's Basilica -Saturday Vigil 5.00 pm, Sunday 9.30 am

Sacred Heart Church - Kurow - 1st & 3rd Sundays @ 12 noon

Congratulations - Athletic Champions

At assembly last week, we acknowledged our 2023 athletic champions.  Congratulations to the following students:

8 yrs - Jayden H and Manaia D

9 yrs - Alexander R and Angelina D

10 yrs - Siale T and Emily M

11 yrs - Liam L and Sephrin S

12 yrs - Jac B and Chelsea K

13 yrs - Xiao hui L and Eva F

Congratulations to Sephrin S who placed 3rd in the 100 m sprints at the North Otago Athletics.

Contact Details

If you are moving addresses in the holidays or your contact details change including emergency contacts, please email the office at office@stjoseph.school.nz

Farewell to the Following Families

We farewell the following families who leave St Joseph's for high school.  We thank them for their contributions to our school and wish them all the best.  Good luck in all your endeavours.

- Bradley, Coscos, Fatafehi, Fifita, Gibbins, Li, McLaren, Perez, Perniskie and Woodhouse

Helpers

We thank all our parents, family and friends who have helped during the year with our class and school activities.  We always appreciate any help you give to the school.

Library Books

Can all library books please be returned to the office by Wednesday 13th December.

Lost Property

There is a large number of items in the lost property area, please come and check if they belong to your children. All leftover items will either be donated to the uniform shop or given away.

Road Patrol

Our road patrollers were acknowledged at assembly today for their duty this year. 

Multicultural Day

Last Friday, our school celebrated Multicultural day. It was lovely to see parents, whānau and parishioners connect and celebrate the diversity of our school over tasty food and cultural displays. Our young children also showed us amazing performances. Thank you to everyone who came and shared this special day with us. 

School Disco

Greetings and we hope that you and your family are well and keeping safe. We are writing to inform you that we are going to have our end-of-year school disco for years 1-6. How exciting to end the term with a school disco!

Here is the outline of what we are going to do for our school disco. 
On Thursday 14th December, we are holding a school disco for new entrants to Yr 6 in the school hall.
-  The time will be from 4.00 to 5.30 pm
-  The theme is Christmas and we would love to see as many of the children dress up in the theme. (even a piece of tinsel put on you).  
-  The disco is for school children only and therefore we ask that no pre-schoolers attend as it is an end of year school celebration
-  A donation of $2.00 each which gives you an entry ticket, glow stick, bag of chips and a drink. 
-  Entry is paid at the door. 
- We hope to see many of our children participating and enjoying the disco next Thursday. 
Many Blessings
Sarah & Tua

School Stationery

All class stationery lists will be sent out next week and will be on the website for 2024.  If you purchase your child's stationery from OfficeMax online at: myschool.co.nz you will be able to purchase at their very low Back to School discount prices which are available from now until the end of February.

Alternatively, you can purchase packs online from www.paperplus.co.nz/back-to-school or in-store at Paper Plus.  If you already have certain parts of the stationery list, contact Paper Plus Oamaru who will organise a custom pack for you.

Both companies enable parents to purchase their children's stationery at lower prices and both companies will make a donation to St Joseph's.

Sport Coaches and Managers

Thank you, thank you, thank you, words cannot describe how much you are appreciated for giving up your time in coaching and managing our sports teams. You are all superb and magnificent people who ensure that our children can play a sport. If you have managed a team and your name is not mentioned, please accept our apologies and we thank you very much for your time.

Basketball - Toby Lucas and Adele Whiston

Futsal - Rory & Wendy McGeown and various parents helping out

Miniball - Jan Roa, Judith Leo/Steven Tavendale, Bex Diedrichs/Melissa Smith

Netball - Paula Brien, Megan Fogarty and Katiana Taiti

Touch - Judith Leo/ Adele Whiston, Michael Pine/Justine Rodger Teagan O'Connell, Max Fatafehi/William Pardede

Subway Lunches

Today is the last day of the year for Subway lunches.  We will notify you in 2024 when they resume again.

Touch Rugby Gear Bags

Can the coaches please return all the touch rugby gear bags to the office by next Tuesday.

Welcome New Students

We warmly welcome Amanda TA, Jewel J and Ioata F who started at our school recently.

3. Diary Dates - Week 9, Term 4 2023

 

DECEMBER
Friday 8	Yr 7 & 8 Social
Wednesday 13	End of Year Mass at 6.00 pm
Thursday 14	End of Year Assembly at 2.00 pm  School Disco for yrs 1-6 at 4.00 pm *
Friday 15	Last day of school - school closes at 12.30 pm
JANUARY 2024
Wednesday	School starts for term 1
FEBRUARY
Friday 2	Swimming lessons for yrs 1-8
Monday 5	Swimming lessons for yrs 1-8
Tuesday 6	Waitangi Day - school closed
Wednesday 7	Swimming lessons for yrs 1-8
Friday 9	Swimming lessons for yrs 1-8
Wednesday 14	Swimming lessons for yrs 1-8
Friday 16	Swimming lessons for yrs 1-8
Wednesday 28	Senior school swimming sports

1. Principals News - Week 7, Term 4 2023

Dear Parents and Whanau

I will be on camp with the year 7 and 8 students when you receive this newsletter.  We have been staying in Peel Forest for 3 days and 2 nights.  The student's challenges are high ropes, confidence course, white water rafting and short nature walks.

Staffing 2024

As it often happens at the end of a school year, there are staff changes.  We have experienced quite a degree of change in the last 2 weeks.

Sarah Sollano has been granted a year's leave to study and to complete her post-graduate studies.  She will return to St Joseph's in 2024.  We hope to see her doing some relieving and volunteering in our school next year.

Leanne Brookes has resigned and taken up a position in Christchurch at Our Lady of Victories School effective next year.  We wish her well in a new city and an exciting challenge of a larger Director of Religious Studies role.

Nicola Winders has also resigned and taken up a new position at Weston School at the beginning of 2024.

We are in the process of advertising for a new classroom teacher and Deputy Principal for the school.  This week, we have been pleased to have made three new appointments to replace staff and take up the reins in 2024.

North Otago Athletic Championships

We were well represented by students at the North Otago Championships on Monday evening.  A big thank you to Paula Brien for all her organisation in the zone and regional entries.  Also to Sarah Sollano for being an official on the night.

Year 8 Transition Day

On Wednesday 29th November, the year 8 students attending St Kevin's next year will spend the day in their new school.  Parents should have received a letter with all the details of the day.  If you are unsure, please contact the St Kevin's School office.

Multicultural Day

Thank you in advance for all the organisation that is going into this day.  Our multicultural celebration is on Friday 1st December.  Please see the flyer later in the newsletter.

Board of Trustees Meeting

We will be holding the last BOT meeting for the year on Tuesday 5th December.  This is an open meeting that you are most welcome and encouraged to attend.  Our meetings are held in the school staffroom at 6.30 pm.  Minutes are available for you to view at any time.

God Bless

Allan Mitchell

Acting Principal

2. Faith Facts - Week 7, Term 4 2023

 Welcome to the end of Week 7 Term 4

Week 7    20th - 24th November     Christ the King

At our Parish/School Mass last Thursday 16th November,  Levi and Tineka Rankin received the Sacrament of Catholic Baptism with Father Fredy.

                       

Our Year 7 & 8 students have been at camp this week. Year 5 & 6 students have competently taken on the Leadership roles at Mass with Kapahaka, Waiata and Technology and leading Friday’s Assembly.

We also are very proud of and thank Ruma Kereru who led Mass this week so Respectfully and Reverently.

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
19 33rd SUNDAY in Ordinary Time World Day of the Poor	20	21 The Presentation of Blessed Virgin Mary	22 St Cecilia	23	24 Sts Andrew Dũng-La. c, priest, and companions, martyrs	25

November 21 - The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The tradition is that Mary was taken to the temple in Jerusalem when she was 3 years-old and dedicated to God. What we celebrate on this day is the fact that God chose to dwell in Mary in a very special way. 

November 24th
Sts Andrew Dũng-La. c, priest, and companions, martyrs

St. John Paul II canonised a group of 117 martyrs who gave their lives for the faith in Vietnam during the 19th century. On this feast day, the Church remembers the sufferings inflicted on the Vietnamese Church, which are among the most terrible in the long history of Christian martyrdom. 

We can also think and pray for all the Vietnamese refugees who came to New Zealand in the late 1970’s and some later. May they always find peace and be at home here. Protect their hearts and minds from painful memories.

Nga mihi nui

Leanne Brookes