Dear Parents and Whanau,

It was lovely to welcome you all yesterday. The children seemed really excited to be back with their friends and new teachers. The first two weeks of the new school year are focused around the teachers and students building learning relationships. These are a really important foundation for the year. This is also a time for the students to learn the routines for the Home Group.

The Principal’s Message will cover the following topics:

• 25 Years
• Welcome
• St Joseph
• School Prayers
• Ash Wednesday
• Family Picnic
• Sports Term 1, 2021
• Team Term 1 Information
• PTA

Ka manaakitia e te Atua

Alister Bridgman

Principal

Last week the staff celebrated Annette Woodhead’s 25th Anniversary as a teacher here at St Joseph’s. As a school community, we thank Annette for sharing her passion for learning and her love of her faith with us all over the years. We are blessed to have her on our team and having her in the role as Director of Religious Studies. Through this role, she has not only supported our students and teachers, she has also supported the Parish with their Sacramental programme. As part of the celebration, Annette was given a pounamu necklace, which was blessed by Monsignor David, and a bouquet of flowers. Thank you Annette for all you have given of yourself to our school community.

Welcome to our new students and our new families. It is wonderful to have you all join our school community. Welcome to Julian, Leila, Ella, Emma, Jennifer, Liam, Alejandro, Reina, Juan, Zachary, Ryan, Grace, Amelia, Allen, Gabriel, Pio, Capri, Noah, Felizia, Robbie, Michael, Mia, Ashton, Matilda, Kerrison, Millie, Khloe, Ejay, Luka, Cynthia, Chloe, Hazel, Mary, Sihyun, Fritz and Elijah. At School Prayers, this Friday,we will be welcoming the new students.

At the end of last year, Pope Francis proclaimed that 2021 would be the “Year of Saint Joseph”. It is the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. In a new Apostolic Letter entitled Papa Frances Patris Corde (“With a Father’s Heart”). Pope Francis describes Saint Joseph as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father an accepting father; a father who is creatively courageous, a working father, a father in the shadows.

As it is the year of our namesake, we will be focusing on St Joseph and his role in the life of Jesus throughout the year with the students. 

Our first school prayers for the year is this Friday, 12th February beginning at 8:50am in the hall. All whanau are welcome to join us for school prayers which we have every Friday morning.

Wednesday 17th February, we will be celebrating Ash Wednesday with a school liturgy at 1:45pm in our church. All whanau are welcome to join the students and staff for this liturgy. It signifies the beginning of the church season of Lent. Lent is the forty days preparing for Easter. As a school, we encourage students to ‘do for others’ through Lent on a constant basis. Ideas like doing the dishes each night, baking for Grandma each week, mowing the lawns. Caritas has an Lent 2021 Action Plan  you can look at. You are welcome to talk to your tamariki about what they could do and encourage them to achieve their lenten goal.

All families are welcome to have their Friday fish ‘n chips on the school’s bottom field. This is an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher. There will be food trucks on the court and games for the children to play while you catch up with friends and parents in your child’s team. See you Friday 19th February at 5:30pm.

Please could all Sport at St Joseph 2021 registrations and payments be completed by Friday, 12th February.

Team Kiwi Term 1 2021

Team Kea Term 1 2021

Team Kakapo Term 1 2021

Team Kakariki Term 1 2021

PTA Meeting

The first PTA Meeting of 2021 will be held at 7:15pm on Monday 15th February in the St Joseph’s Staff Room. Please join us and be part of organising what events and activities will be held for the St Joseph’s Community. It’s a great way to meet other parents and get involved with the school.

PTA Facebook Page

If you haven’t already, please join the St Joseph’s PTA & Community on our private Facebook Group. Search for “St Joseph’s School (Takapuna) PTFA & Community” under “groups” on Facebook. You will need to answer a simple question before you are granted access. See you there!

St Joseph’s School Hand Sanitiser

The PTA would like to give your child their own supply of St Joseph’s Hand Sanitiser as a back-to-school gift. The hand sanitiser comes with a carabiner clip which allows your child to clip it onto their bag so it’s convenient for them to use and within easy reach. Each child will receive their hand sanitiser today (or tomorrow). Please remind your child that hand sanitiser does not replace hand washing. Hand washing with warm water for 20 seconds and drying your hand effectively, remains that gold standard in hand hygiene.

We appreciate some children may have sensitivities to hand sanitiser or you may not wish your child to have their own supply. In that case, please remove the hand sanitiser from your child this afternoon and add to your home first aid kit. This does not replace the hand sanitiser that is available to students in their learning spaces.

If you would like to purchase St Joseph’s Hand Sanitiser, they will be for sale at the School Picnic on Friday 19th February. They are great to clip onto your keys, handbag, backpack, gym bag or to have in your first aid kit, camping supplies or pocket when going to festivals & concerts. Each hand sanitiser is $3.50 or ten for $30.00.