ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC
SCHOOL
TAKAPUNA

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Kia Ora Whanau,

Last night we were delighted to be able to present the 2022 Achievement Data to our Board of Trustees. The data reflects that the students continue to be achieving at levels similar to previous years in Reading, Writing and Mathematics.

In Reading 93% of our students are achieving at or above their curriculum level. 80% of the students at their expected curriculum level and 13% of student are above their curriculum level

Writing data shows that 76% of our students are achieving at their expected level and 8% above. A total of 84% at or above their expected curriculum level in writing.

In Mathematics 90% of our students are achieving at or above their curriculum level. 71% of the students at their expected curriculum level and 19% of students are above their curriculum level.

Our sincere thanks to the teaching team and support staff team who have worked hard alongside our students to provide them with programmes that challenge and grow learning. Congratulations to the students on their wonderful progress this year and what they have achieved.

Next week you will be receiving your child’s 2022 Achievement Report through the school app. If you are having difficulty accessing the app please contact Lizzy at secretary@sj.school.nz . She is happy to assist.

We look forward to seeing all our families at the End of Year School Liturgy beginning at 11am in the Rosmini College Auditorium. Following the liturgy we will be having a family picnic. Families can then take their children home for the afternoon.

Families are welcome to bring their picnics or purchase from the six food trucks that will be on site.

The weather on Tuesday and Wednesday looks to be wet. Families will be able to have their picnic in one of the designated ‘dry’ picnic spots. The picnic will be happening wet or fine.

Have a lovely weekend.

Take care

Ka manaakitia e te Atua

Alister Bridgman

Principal

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

The following topics will be covered in this weeks Principal’s message:

Year Six Leaver’s Mass
Kakapo’s Art Gallery Visit
End of Year Liturgy & Family Picnic
Junior’s Christmas Show
Morning Tea For All Parent Helpers
Mr Donzae From St Vincent de Paul
School Guinea Pigs Need a Holiday Home
Last Call for Returns
2023 School Stationery Now Available
Community Notices

YEAR SIX LEAVER’S MASS

Graduation Day

By Janine Liwanag

On Monday 5 December, it was a special day for the year 6’s at St Joseph’s School. We had our graduation mass at St Joseph’s Church! Everyone was nervous to go to the front of the church to perform. Some people did actions for the song which is called ‘Come To The Table’.

The Principal called out names to receive our certificate and candy necklaces from Lebron and James’ mum. We also received a candle and a medal. There were lots of cameras. Parents were taking photos!

Monsignor David told us about the Gr… words: Graduands, gratitude and growth and he said that this applies to all of us. That soon we would be graduates, grateful for our days at St Joseph’s and keep growing in kindness and courage.

People auditioned to be a soloist. Those who got a line would either sing with a partner or on their own. We sang ‘We are the World.’ I was excited and nervous at the same time. Some of my friends sang a few lines with me -and we used to be quite shy! There were lots and lots of parents’ eyes glued to us! At the end, everyone clapped and cheered as loud as thunder!

Eventually, the mass finished. There was soda and sweets! It was a magnificent experience, if you’d ask me! Thanks to everyone who planned and organised this special event, we will not forget it.

KAKAPO’S ART GALLERY VISIT

Kakapo Art Gallery Trip By Mikhail Victorio (HG8)

Where? Auckland CBD (Close to Queen st)

When? 9:00 AM sharp

The art gallery opens at 10:00 AM

At the gallery, we started by looking at the paintings by Robin white, who is a famous NZ painter. Her images are mainly about people, and places. We were all able to do an activity known as ‘Extending the Frame.’ How did we do this activity? Well, imagine a painting. Any of your choice. Now, imagine if the image was bigger. What would be going on in the background? If you were able to draw what’s going on in the further sides of the image, what would you draw?

Group 2 got to do something fun on the other side, which was to paint an image somehow related to Robin White´s pictures. We needed to sketch a replica of a place YOU felt connected to. Then we had to sketch it using a sketching pencil. Next, we grabbed a paint brush of any size and dipped the brushy looking side in water and dabbed the brush in a color and painted on our image using that color. It was very enjoyable!

I think the art gallery is a really great place to see and appreciate art. It is also a big help to make art yourself. Because someday, YOU might be a famous artist too!

END OF YEAR LITURGY & FAMILY PICNIC

JUNIOR’S CHRISTMAS SHOW

The BIGGEST Show of the Year

The Year 1 and 2 children were SCARED like crazy. They were about to perform the biggest show of the year. The last show was held in 2018. Every class in the Year 1 and 2 team took part in the Christmas Story, from the angel who visited the shepherds to the donkeys who carried Mary. There were sellers in the market that had gifts for the baby. The three wise men brought myrrh,frankincense and gold. Finally all the performers sang Christmas Carols and the audience joined in. It was a spectacular way to get us all in the Christmas Spirit.

Well done Kiwi and Kea team!

Reported by Alex, Morgan, Oliver and Tarquin – HG 11

MORNING TEA FOR ALL PARENT HELPERS

For all those parents/caregivers that have helped out with trips, coaching sports teams, classroom help and all the many other jobs you do for us!

MR DONZAE FROM ST VINCENT DE PAUL

Mr Donzae’s Visit

By: Gabby

Last Friday, Mr Donzae from St Vincent De Paul joined us in our school prayers. Mr Donzae wanted us to know how much St Vincent De paul appreciated our contribution towards their food pantry. This year we donated lots of cans to St Vincent De Paul, to help the needy families of our community.

My Donzae presented us with a plaque to say thank you ! It felt nice to know that we make a big difference by our many small efforts.