ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC
SCHOOL
TAKAPUNA

2019/42 – December 11

Dear Parents and Whanau

What a truely wonderful Christmas Concert we had on Sunday evening. The students sang beautifully and with such focus. They certainly did themselves, their whanau and their teachers proud.

Our St Joseph’s School Choir were stunning and what a wonderful opportunity for them to be singing with the world renowned opera singer Simon O’Neill.  Thank you Simon for being so generous with your time and talents, and for the beautiful way you supported the students with learning the songs they sang with you. They were truely blessed to be able to work alongside you.

The students and staff were very proud of our own Mr Peter O’Connor. He certainly is an amazing singer. Thank you Peter for the wonderful part you played in our Christmas Concert. 

It was wonderful to be joined by the Carmini and Carmel Senior Girls Choirs. Having choirs from our brother and sister schools join us was indeed special.

The beginning of the second half saw the Auckland Symphony Orchestra playing a medley of Christmas Carols. They were led by Peter Thomas. Our sincere thanks to the ASO and Peter Thomas for their wonderful performance and the way in which they supported the singers. A truely wonderful opportunity for the students. They will be able to say proudly that they sang with the ASO.

The evening began with a powhiri performed by our Kapa Haka group and our Pasifika Cultural Group. It was a breath-taking way to begin the evening.

To all the many parents and to all the staff who put in so many hours of preparation as well as support on the night, thank you. It was a truely spectacular evening for all our students and their whanau, and this was due to all the support you rapt around our students. Thank you so much for the generousity of your time and talents.

At our final Mass this week, Thursday December 12, 9.15 am, we will be celebrating the wonderful year we have had, and saying farewell to our year 6 students. It is always a special Mass for our school community which all our whanau are welcome to attend. We will also be saying farewell Mrs Valentina Abba. Mrs Abba began her association with St Joseph’s as a parent helper twenty five years ago. She has been our school’s Finance Officer and Executive Officer for the last twenty years. We are very grateful for the professional service she has provided our school community in her roles. Mrs Abba has provided a high level of support to the Principal’s she has worked alongside, Boards, staff, students and their families. We wish her every enjoyment in her retirement.

Congratulations to the 55 students who received the Sacrament of First Reconciliation Wednesday last week. The majority were from our school community. It was a lovely celebration led by Father Martin Wu. Please keep these children in your prayers.

All parents will have received the child’s final report for the year, this week. You are welcome to contact the office to make an appointment if you wish to discuss your child’s report.

For the final day and a half of the school year next week students are welcome to wear mufti (weekend clothes). We are asking that the children bring along a couple of gold coins. The funds raised will be given to Caritas for the people of Samoa. They are suffering from a terrible measles outbreak and this is a way in which we as a school community can support them. Thank you for supporting this mission and the many missions we have had through the school year. Your generosity has supported many people New Zealand and world wide.

Ka manaakitia koutou e te Atua

Alister Bridgman

Tumuaki