ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC
SCHOOL
TAKAPUNA
Principal’s Letter – April 24
Principal’s Letter
Dear Parents and Whanau
Tomorrow Saturday 25 April we celebrate ANZAC Day. Monday 27 April is the ANZAC day public holiday. On ANZAC day we commemorate New Zealanders killed in war and honour returned and serving service women and men. As a school we have students and staff who volunteer to represent our school in the Takapuna ANZAC parade annually. This year four poppies, one for the Kiwi, Kea, Kakapo and Kakariki Teams, will be laid at the Takapuna War Memorial tomorrow. These two prayers will be said when the poppies are placed.
God of love and liberty, we thank you for the peace and security we enjoy. It was won for us through the courage and devotion of those who gave their lives in time of war. We pray that their labour and sacrifice may not be in vain, but that their spirit may live on in us and in generations to come. We ask this prayer in the name of Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen
God of our Mothers and Fathers, we pray for the peace of the world. We especially entrust to your mercy the homeless and refugees; those who have been dispossessed through war; those whose lives and families have been disrupted; and who mourn the loss of loved ones. We pray for countries who are war-torn even today. May sanity return and kindness win through wherever there is warfare. We ask our prayers through Jesus Christ. Amen
The Prime Minister announced that Tuesday 28 April is a Teacher Only Day for NZ Schools. Teachers in our school will be using this day to prepare and plan for our school for being in Alert Level 3 and the return to school for students in Alert Level 2. Our Team Google Sites will be updated Sunday evening so that your children will be have a range of activities to do through the week. They are welcome to share their work with their teachers, as they did during the break, and their teacher will respond on Wednesday. Parents are also welcome to shut down the children’s devices Saturday through to Tuesday and have the children do family time activities.
All Catholic Schools in the Auckland Diocese have been contacted by the Vicar of Education about attendance dues. The message she has given is that anyone that has been impacted by Covid-19 and is concerned about the payment of their attendance dues is to contact their Principal. ‘Support and help is available and as previously affirmed our priority is that all our students will continue to have a Catholic Education no matter their circumstances.’ Please contact me – principal@sj.school.nz – if you have any concerns about the payment of your attendance dues.
As a school we are very generous at providing food to our St Vincent de Paul parish group. They use the food we give them to make up food parcels for families in need. This is a time when we are seeing an increased number of families in need. If you know of a local family in need of a food parcel please let me know and I will forward their details to SVDP. Families will be able to continue giving food for food parcels once Alert Level 2 is actioned.
Take care. Stay safe.
Ka manaakitia e te Atua
Alister Bridgman
Tumuaki