Kia Ora Whanau

This morning at school prayers, we welcomed the new students and their families to our school whanau. It is a highlight of the term and reflects one of our Mercy Values, manaakitanga. At this welcome our Kapa Haka group performed. They can be very proud of their performance.

The Board and PTFA are all organised for the Father’s Day Breakfast on Monday. This is a wonderful opportunity for Dad’s to come along with the children, have some kai, and check out the learning that the children have been doing this term. Mum’s are welcome too! However, they could also have a sleep-in or catch up with their friends for an early morning coffee at the cafe. 🙂

Have you bought your ticket for the “Stars in Their Eyes” musical bingo which is being held next Friday, the 8th of September? This is a PTFA fundraiser and will be a great night. We look forward to seeing you there.

Waterwise is a sailing programme our Year 5/6 students participate in on Lake Pupuke. It’s run in Term 1 and 4 each year. It is an excellent programme which sees our students learning a set of skills in a sport that many would not normally experience. This programme requires parents who are trained instructors. In October, there are Instructor Courses being run for Waterwise. These are open to any parent. We would encourage you to take up this opportunity, as this will enable us to run the programme in 2024. Check out the details below.

Next week is Social Justice Week for the Catholic church. The theme this year is ‘Imagine Peace For All / Pohewatia te Rangimārie mō te Katoa’. The children will be learning about Social Justice Week as part of their RE programme.

Ka manaakitia e te Atua.

Alister Bridgman
Principal

The Principal’s Message will cover the following topics:

• PTFA’s “Stars In Their Eyes” Musical Bingo
• Social Justice Week
• Auckland Museum Visit
• Waterwise Instructors Course
• Being Brainy
• Touch Rugby
• Thank You from the Pacific Book Project
• Mercy Day Mass
• Parish News
• Community Notices

Social Justice Week 2023

Social Justice Week (September 3-9, 2023) is the beginning of something very special. For the next three years, the focus will be on peace and responding to conflict. The overarching tagline is:

‘Imagine Peace For All / Pohewatia te Rangimārie mō te Katoa’

Each year there will be a unique focus and for 2023 it is:

• ‘Peace begins with you! / Ka tīmata tonu te Rangimārie i roto i ā koe!’

As we begin this new series for Social Justice Week, which will span three years and focus on peace, it makes sense to start with ourselves. The focus for this year is ‘Peace begins with you!’. Creating a peaceful world begins with each one of us. We all have a role to play in promoting peace, both in our personal lives and in the larger world. More importantly though, we need to realise that for us to build peace with others, we must first find personal peace ourselves. True personal peace is found only through a loving personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit and comes from God rather than from our own strength or determination alone.

Over the next week across the school, we will be learning and reflecting on how peace begins with us.

Pupuke Schools Waterwise is holding an Instructors Course.

Come along and learn how to sail and instruct so you can assist the children to be confident on the water.

Course dates:- Weeks 3 ,4, 5 October 2023

• Wednesday 18th October 4pm – 8pm
• Thursday 19th October 4pm- 8pm
• Tuesday 24th October 4pm- 8pm
• Thursday 26th October 4pm – 8pm
• Sunday 29th October in the morning – Time to be confirmed

The practical assessment will be held 4pm – 8pm one day in the week 30 October – 2 November (TBC)

**Trainees are expected to attend all sessions.

If you are interested in attending this course, please email laurab@sj.school.nz.

BEING BRAINY
On Wednesday, Bronwen & Laura from The Centre for Brain Research visited the Kakapo Team to further enhance the learning that they have done on the brain. Bronwen & Laura set up a range of fun and hands-on activities for the tamariki.

We need a few extra Year 2/3 Players for our school Touch Rugby team.

Played at Becroft Park or Sunnynook Park (this will be confirmed by the organisers in September) on Thursdays after school. 

Games start on Thursday, 19th October until Thursday, 14th December (Term 4)

The cost is $45.00.

If you are keen to play please email me at Sports@sj.school.nz

Kind regards

St Joseph’s Sport

The new issue of St Joseph’s Parish magazine, “Carpenter’s Square”, is now out. We cannot wait to share how God has continued to work in our community. You can access it on our website by clicking this link.

“Carpenter’s Square” is a magazine covering all youth & young adults’ content at Takapuna Parish. Curated by core team members who are focused on fundraising and mission, these articles are put together so that we can share with our parents and donors, what’s happening with our Takapuna Catholic Youth.

Please check out the latest community notices  which you can find on our school website.