Dear Whanau and Parents

Today we were informed that there were 28 new COVID cases. It is great to see the numbers lowering. It is also great to get the first of the two week Alert Level 4 extension under our belt.

This week the staff continued to review the range of activities we are offering the children in the Online Programme of Learning. Thank you for the many emails sent to the teachers sharing your appreciation for the work they are doing preparing and posting these activities, and supporting the children with feedback when the children send their work in. It is nice to hear that the children are enjoying ‘School Prayers’ and the new initiative ‘Read and Feed’. 

Next week we will be trialing another new initiative; “Children’s Chat”. This will see children being able to join their pod mates once a week on a zoom call with the pod teachers. As with all the activities we provide this is optional. Each pod will be able to join together on a zoom call for a catch up. On Monday next week emails will be sent out to homegroups with information as to how the “Child’s Chat” will be run and with a link to the Home Groups Pod Zoom meet. Each team will have a set day for the week and each Pod in that team will have a set time. This will be an opportunity for the children to see their teacher and classmates.

May you all enjoy the sunny weekend ahead.

Please take care. Stay safe.

The Principal’s Message will cover the following topics

• PTA News
• Parish News

Ka manaakitia e te Atua

Alister Bridgman

Tumuaki

Support

We appreciate that with Auckland being in Level 4 Lockdown until at least the 13th September 2021, there are a number of families within our community that are struggling financially.  Balancing income and expenses in ‘normal’ times is a juggle; but juggling through the insecurity of income, lack of work, closed businesses and general uncertainty can be extremely stressful and disconcerting.  We therefore want to wrap four St Joseph’s Families in some St Joseph’s Aroha/ Love.

If you or a St Joseph’s Family you know, are struggling financially at this time, please send an email to principal@sj.school.nz to nominate them.  Alister will consider the nominations and choose 4 families to receive a voucher for 5-nights of Bargain Box Choice from My Food Bag.  All nominations need to be received before 5pm on Tuesday, 7th September 2021.

NB: The PTA wants to ensure confidentiality in this process, so families do come forward.  We will not be involved in selecting the families – we are simply providing an idea to support our community at this time and the purchase of the vouchers.“

Quiz Night – 17 September – Cancelled

As we will not come out of Level 4 any sooner than the 13th September, it is highly unlikely that we will be able to hold an event for 200+ people until well into Term 4.  We have therefore made the tough decision to cancel the St Joseph’s PTA Quiz Night Fundraiser for 2021.  This is really disappointing as the Quiz Night was to be the major fundraiser for this year.

Even though Quiz Night is cancelled, we still want to try and hold events that bring the community together AND raise funds. 

Online Auction

In preparation for Quiz Night we approached a number of community businesses requesting support for the Silent & Live Auction that were to be held during Quiz Night.  We had a fantastic response and want to ensure that despite COVID-19, we can still thank these businesses for their support by showcasing their products & services whilst raising money for the School.  We are therefore going to set-up an online auction for the prizes, which will run during October/ November.  This will be available to the St Joseph’s Community but also the wider Community, thereby increasing the spotlight on these businesses and our schools fundraising efforts.

Thank you & take good care,

Your PTA Team

St Joseph’s Parish Newsletter – Sunday 5 September

Auckland Catholic  Diocese Programme