Dear Parents

We have had a great week with all the children back at school. It is lovely to see the children catching up with each other after the Christmas break.

We’ve gotten into a good flow with the drop-off and pick-up procedures. Thank you for following the procedures put in place. Thank you as well to the staff who are running the drop-off and pick-up.

My apologies for the confusion caused by my previous message. The pick-up opens at 2.30pm and parents can collect their children anytime between 2.30pm and 3.15pm. The children are waiting in their classrooms doing activities appropriate to their level, while readying to come to the pick up zone when called. Wednesday and Thursday saw parents being able to collect their children in a timely fashion and not get gridlocked with the Rosmini traffic.

A reminder that the children have two 30 minute breaks each day as opposed to a 25 minute and 55 minute break. This allows the children to remain in their groups at specified play areas as well as maximising their learning time.

It is great to see the children wearing their masks in their Home Groups. These are protection for the students when they are indoors. Mask wearing is required for students from Year 4 upwards, by the Ministry of Education. Where schools like ours have composite Year 3/4 classes the MOE asks the Year 3 students to wear masks. If you have any questions around mask wearing, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Over the coming weeks we will be carrying out regular reviews of the procedures we have in place for COVID-19 Red Level. Our central focus is to ensure students can come to school and learn in a safe environment.

Should you have any questions please feel free to contact me at principal@sj.school.nz.

Ka manaakitia e te Atua

Alister Bridgman
Tumuaki

The Principal’s Message will cover the following topics:

• Welcome
• Learning Pods
• Tonga Relief

We extend a warm welcome to:

Luiza, Lily-Rose, Yve, Kyri, Daniel, Euan, Genelia, Sienna, Jose, Jack, Bruno, Jarius, Jerome, Gabriella, Rico, Calix, Calicia, Arwen, Lucas, Matteo, Thomas T, Priam, Georgia, Keira, Maya, Kai, Evania, Adriana, Thomas M, Matthias, Alex, Joseph, Thomas M, Grace

These are new students who joined our school community this week. It is wonderful to have them and their families join us. We know they will enjoy their time at St Joseph’s.

We would also like to welcome Laura Bateman, Martinique Anthony, and Katie Scott to our teaching staff.

Team Kiwi

Kiwi Learning Pod
HG 15 – Mrs Cate Dunne, HG 16 – Miss Maria Ryan / Mrs Susanna Nicolic, HG 17 – Ms Riok Kang, HG 18 – Mrs Debbie Pratt / Mrs Rebekah Saxon

Team Kea

Kea Learning Pod
HG 12 – Mrs Jean Linehan / Mrs Sioux Manning, HG 13 – Miss Annette Woodhead / Mrs Shona Douthwaite, HG 14 – Mrs Martinique Anthony

Team Kakapo

Kakapo Learning Pod 1
HG 6 – Mrs Inge Pienaar, HG 7 – Ms Carol Braithwaite, HG 8 – Mrs Meidy Lambert

Kakapo Learning Pod 2
HG 9 – Miss Katie Schott, HG 10 – Miss Michelle McEwan, HG 11 – Miss Natasha Luxford / Mrs Kate Casey

Team Kakariki

Kakariki Learning Pod 1
HG 1 – Mrs Ingrid Young, HG 2 – Miss Niamh O’Reilly

Kakariki Learning Pod 2
HG 3 – Miss Gemma Strother, HG 4 – Ms Laura Bateman / Mrs Francisca Knottenbelt, HG 5 – Mr Peter O’Connor

As we are all aware during our January break Tonga was devastated by a volcanic eruption followed by a tsunami.
This has had a serious impact on the people of Tonga and their loved ones around the world.
We send our prayers of strength and hope to these families and in particular our St Joseph’s families who have been affected by this natural disaster.

How can we help:

• Weeks 1 – 5 Mission Money will be going to the Bishops of Auckland Tongan Appeal. We encourage our students to do a little extra around home in return for a Mission donation.
• Week 3 will see our school holding a gold coin day. Details of this will be sent out next week.
• Participate and join in the Bishop’s Tongan appeal on Saturday February 12th from 7pm.

This weekend the Bishops are holding a fundraiser:

https://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/event-1/tokoni-maa-tonga-catholics-helping-tonga/

Please keep the people of Tonga in your prayers.