1. Principal's News Week 9, Term 2 2018

Congratulations to our Confirmation Candidates
Congratulations to the children who were confirmed last Sunday:
Xanthe Clarke
Elias Fraser
Christopher Jorgensen
David Kilgour
Tama Roberts
Sandrene Mordeno
Ally-May Rawson
Jayla Strong
Luse Asi
Hamish Fowler
Eli Herbst
Indeg Jones-Hogan
Ralph Patalbo
It was a privilege to celebrate this occasion with our children, supported by parishioners, staff, school families and the Dominican Choir and to welcome our new Bishop, Bishop Michael Dooley.

Well Done Year 5/6
Well done to our year 5-6 class who stepped up in Mass this morning, taking on the senior leadership roles in the absence of our year 7 & 8s (at tournament in Timaru).  You did a fantastic job.

Welcome Mass
This Sunday 1st July at 9.30 am is our Welcome Mass to welcome the new students of St Joseph's school into our parish community.  They will all be presented with a picture Bible from our Home and School Association.  If you have had an invitation and not yet replied, or if your child is new to school and not yet received their Bible, please contact me before the weekend.

Cultural Concert
There is a cultural concert with the parish after Mass this Sunday in our school hall.  Our children will be participating in the kapa haka and the Pasifika groups.  Children may wear their cultural clothes to Mass before the concert if they wish.

Report Meeting
Your children's mid year reports will go home next week.  They will look different from the reports you have been used to.  We would like to have the opportunity to explain how you can get the most benefit from the reports and so we are having a parent meeting at 6.30 pm next Monday 2nd July in the school hall.  The meeting should only be 20-30 minutes long.

NZEI Action
No doubt you will be aware that the teacher's union, NZEI are presently engaging in negotiations with the government.  The main points of these negotiations are:

• To be sufficiently resourced so that we can focus on teaching and learning and provide for the needs of all of our children in reasonably sized classes.
• To address the crisis in teacher supply by continuing to attract and retain quality teachers.

This isn't about us or what we want for ourselves, it's about the conditions that make learning possible for the children.

Our Wonderful Children

Last week three separate visitors to our school remarked on how calm, happy and respectful our children are - we are proud of them.

Aroha and God Bless
Lorraine Frances-Rees
Principal

2. Special Character Week 9 Term 2 2018

Congratulations to our candidates that were confirmed by Bishop Michael last Sunday. It was a beautiful and memorable occasion and thank you to all involved.

This week we will be celebrating a Welcome Mass and invite all families to support and welcome new children and some new families into our parish.

                          A Winter Prayer                                                                                    

This week's faith facts :-

24^th June Nativity of John the Baptist

John the Baptist is about 6 months older than Jesus, and he is the one who baptizes Jesus. John's father is Zacharias and his mother is Elizabeth. They were both faithful to God. Ask your children to tell you the story about Zacharias and John. It is a good one.

29^th  June St Peter and Paul

The two great Apostles, Peter and Paul, are at the very foundations of the Church. These are two saints who appear in the Acts of the Apostle and are the key figures who began to build the community of the church from the teachings of Jesus. It remains in many respects as we know it today. They are the solid rock on which the Church is built. They are at the origin of the churches faith and will forever remain its protectors and its guides.

Many Blessings
Nicola Winders
Co- DRS

3. School Notices - Week 9, Term 2 2018

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

Beatitude for the Day
Blessed are those who are sane enough not to take themselves too seriously; they will be valued by those around them.

Altar Servers
Saturday 30th June - Elenoa & Halalova Asi, Madison & Coope Jones
Sunday 1st July - Ivy-Belle & Molly-May Mestrom, Daniel and Jonathan Jorgensen

Birthday Greetings to:
Kristiana Whiston, Alexie Phillips, Mya Lindsay, Anthony Chen, Indeg Jones-Hogan, Mikayla Criddle, Kaycee-Mae Gibbins and Milah Anderson.

Caritas Mufti Day
Students are to wear mufti clothing next Friday 6th July and to bring a gold coin donation for Caritas mufti-mania.  Money raised will go to Apifo'ou College in Nuku'alofa, Tonga which was affected by cyclone Gita.

Found
A pair of earrings with pink stones was found in the back of the church after Confirmation last Sunday.  They can be collected from the parish office between 9.00 am to 2.00 pm orwe can arrange to drop them over to the school.  Thanks Elaine Hurley - St Patricks Parish.

Head Lice
A parent has recommended Neutralic Advance to help kill Head Lice and eggs.

Junior Swimming Notice
A notice will come home today for all junior students regarding the junior water safety programme for next term.

Junior Quad photos
Here are some photos of the Junior Catholic Quadrangular tournament played in Dunedin a couple of weeks ago.



St Joseph's Interschool
Yesterday our Yr 7 & 8 students participated in an inter-school against St Joseph's in Timaru on a lovely warm day in which every student played either chess, netball, basketball, football and rippa rugby.  Each game was 2 x 15 minute halves and 3 games were played simultaneously.
Our school won the 2 basketball games, 2 netball games, rippa rugby and drew with the football and the chess.  Well done to Elias Maher who won the chess overall and he even beat the South Island chess champion!!! Special thanks to our parent helpers Anna Beveridge and Cranos Chikowore who both coached and transported children.  The children enjoyed a special treat after the interschool as they went to the Timaru Swimming pool and enjoyed their facilities. More photos of the inter-school will be in next week's blog.



Subway
Please note that Subway lunches cost $6.00 and not $5.00.

Community Notices

• North Otago Rock & Mineral Club Gemstone Jewellery & Craft Fair - held on July 7th and 8th at the Scottish Hall.  Gold coin admission.  There is fossils jewellery, face painting, crystals, displays, activities, gifts etc. Flyer attached to email.
• Youthtown's Holiday Programme - see attached flyers to email
• Youthtown Archery Workshop - weeks 4-7 in term 3 for years 5-8.  Costs $60 for 4 sessions. Contact www.youthtown.org.nz or phone 027 886 3146
• Living Arts (formerly Creative Fusion) is now taking enrolments for term 3.  Come check out our new look, studio and classes.  They now offer classes in art and craft design as well as dance for all ages.  Classes include french-style classical ballet, american jazz and fusion (hip-hop/street funk), creative dance for pre-schoolers.  Enquiries to Nicola or Matthew 027 841 9922 or email livingartsNZ@gmail.com

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5. Diary Dates - Week 9, Term 2 2018

JUNE

Friday 29                   -  Celebration assembly at 2.30 pm

                                   -  All library books due back today  

JULY

Sunday 1                    -  Welcome Mass at 9.30 am

Monday 2                   -  Parent meeting regarding reports at 6.30 pm in the staffroom – all welcome

Tuesday 3                   -  Board of Trustee meeting at 6.30 pm

Wednesday 4              -  Technology for Yr 7 & 8 at St Kevin’s College

Thursday 5                 -  School Mass at 9.15 am

Friday 6                      -  Caritas Mufti Mania

                                   -  Term 2 finishes today

Friday 13                   -  Network Waitaki Yr 7/8 Basketball Tournament

Saturday 14               -  Network Waitaki Yr 7/8 Basketball Tournament

Sunday 15                  -  Network Waitaki Yr 7/8 Basketball Tournament

Monday 23                 -  Term 3 starts today

                                   -  Technology for Yr 7 & 8 at SKC (now on Monday afternoons)

Thursday 26               -  School Mass at 9.15 am

                                   -  Yr 7 ECBs and Young Vinnies

                                   -  Terrific Thursday at 2.15 pm

Monday 30                 -  Technology for Yr 7 & 8 at SKC

                                   -  Junior Swimming  from 1.30 to 2.30 pm

Tuesday 31                 -  ICAS English exam

                                   -  Junior Swimming  from 1.30 to 2.30 pm

                                   -  Student – Parent lead conferences from 3.00 to 8.00 pm

AUGUST

Wednesday 1              -  Student – Parent lead conferences from 3.00 to 8.00 pm

Monday 6                   -  Junior Swimming from 1.30 to 2.30 pm

Tuesday 7                   - Junior Swimming from 1.30 to 2.30 pm

Monday 13                 -  Junior Swimming from 1.30 to 2.30 pm

Tuesday 14                 -  Junior Swimming from 1.30 to 2.30 pm

                                    -  ICAS Maths exam

                                    -  School production rehearsal at SKC

Thursday 16               -  School production matinee performance from 1.00 – 2.30 pm

                                   -  School Production at St Kevin’s College at 6.30 to 8.00 pm

Monday 20                 -  Junior Swimming from 1.30 to 2.30 pm

Tuesday 21                 -  School Cross Country held at the Oamaru Racecourse

Sunday 26                   -  First Holy Communion

Monday 27                 -  Junior Swimming from 1.30 to 2.30 pm

Tuesday 28                 -  Junior Swimming from 1.30 to 2.30 pm

SEPTEMBER

Monday 3                    -  North Otago Cross Country

                                    -  Junior Swimming from 1.30 to 2.30 pm

Wednesday 5               -  North Otago Cross Country postponement date

Friday 7                       -  Otago Primary School Cross Country

Friday 28                     - Term 3 finishes today

OCTOBER

Monday 15                  -  Term 4 starts today

Monday 22                  -  Labour Day (holiday)

Sunday 28                   -  Food Fair

NOVEMBER

Monday 5                    -  Yr 8 Camp at Staveley

Tuesday 6                    -  Yr 8 Camp at Staveley

Wednesday 7               -  Yr 8 Camp at Staveley

Thursday 8                  -  Yr 8 Camp at Staveley

Friday 9                       -  Yr 8 Camp at Staveley

Monday 26                  -  North Otago Athletics

Tuesday 27                  -  Yr 7 Camp

Wednesday 28             -  North Otago Postponement Date

                                    -  Yr 7 Camp

Thursday 29                -  Yr 7 Camp

DECEMBER

Tuesday 19                  -  Term 4 finishes today

1. Principal's News - Week 8 Term 2, 2018

Intermediate Interschools

A big thank you to Paula for your arrangement and Sara and parents for your supervision and engagement in the Quadrangular tournament and St Mary's Mosgiel interschool (which we won) over the last couple of weeks.  The feedback regarding the children's attitude and participation was very positive and the children loved it.

New Enrolments
If anyone knows of anyone intending to enrol at St Joseph's in the next 12 months would you please ask them to contact me as soon as possible.  This will help us make decisions regarding classes for 2019.

We really enjoyed meeting some of our newer families on Tuesday evening at our induction evening.  It really struck me how we come from all four corners of the world to be in St Joseph's in Oamaru.

For those families as promised, and all families, here is the link to our Family/Whanau book which is a guide for parents of children in a Catholic school and covers all year levels.

http://www.faithalive.org.nz/assets/Resources/Family-whanau-book.pdf

To view Family Whanau book click link

Confirmation and Bishop Michael Dooley

A group of our students will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday at 9.30am mass.  The Dominican Choir will be singing and we invite all our community to join us for this joyous occasion.  We look forward to welcoming our new Bishop, Bishop Michael Dooley to our school on Friday and for the Confirmation Mass on Sunday.  If you would like to meet him he will be at our celebration assembly on Friday.

Welcome Mass
We warmly welcome all of our community to our Welcome Mass on Sunday 1st July at 2018.  The children new to our school in the last few months will be welcomed and presented with Bibles by our Home and School Association.

Reports
We are in the process of reviewing how we do reporting as explained in the last newsblog.  All parents and caregivers are invited to join us in the school hall at 6.30 pm on Monday 2nd July.  We will have a 30 minute session explaining the background of what we're aiming to do and giving you some guidance in interpreting and making use of your child's report.

Union Meeting
Another reminder that the teaching staff are attending a Union Meeting on the afternoon of Wednesday 28th June at 1.30 pm.  School will be open till 3.00 pm but children are allowed to be collected at lunch time.  Please sign them out of the office.

Pasifika Fono
We had a great turnout at our Pasifika Fono last night:

Staff Emails
Please note our staff will endeavour to reply to emails within 24 hours on weekdays.  If you have any concerns about anything please contact your child's teacher to outline your concerns and book an appointment with them.

The Holy Spirit
The children are presently learning about the Holy Spirit.  Our four key ideas for this are:

1. The Holy Spirit acts in people and in the Church
2. The Holy Spirit appears in Bible stories
3. The Holy Spirit is the third person the Trinity
4. We have images of the Holy Spirit but these are not the Holy Spirit
There is more information on the parent's page and we encourage you to access this to enable further conversations with your children.

Aroha and God Bless
Lorraine Frances-Rees

2. Special Character- Term 2 Week 8 2018

Confirmation Mass will be with Bishop Dooley on Sunday June 24 at 9.30 am followed by a shared morning tea afterwards in the Dean O'Reilly Lounge.  All Sacramental candidates are asked to meet in front of the Sacristy at 9.15 am.

We congratulate:- 
      Luse Asi

Xanthe Clarke

Hamish Fowler

Elias Fraser
Eli Herbst

Christopher Jorgensen .             

Indeg Jones-Hogan

David Kilgour

Sandrene Mordeno

Rolfe Patalbo

Ally-May Rawson
Tama Roberts

Jayla Strong

     Adalene Takai

     Luisa Takai  

     Melisa Takai

Faith Facts this Week:

 Nativity of John the Baptist

John the Baptist is about 6 months older than 
Jesus, and he is the one who baptises Jesus.
John's father is Zacharias and his mother is
Elizabeth. They were both faithful to God. Ask
 your children to tell you the story about 
Zacharias and John. It is a good one.

 St Peter and Paul

The two great Apostles, Peter and Paul, are at the very foundations of the Church. These are two saints who appear in the Acts of the Apostle and are the key figures who began to build the community of the church from the teachings of Jesus. It remains in many respects as we know it today. They are the solid rock on which the Church is built. They are at the origin of the churches faith and will forever remain its protectors and its guides.

God Bless 

Nicola Winders

co-DRS