The Lord is Risen, Alleluia Alleluia

We had a wonderful Easter liturgy on Wednesday, on our return from the Easter break. A liturgy that included prayer, amazing singing by the students and rising balloons. 

Luke 24:6-7

“He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and, on the third day, be raised again.”

As part of this celebration we acknowledged the children who participated in the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday morning. We had children performing and children singing. It was a very moving liturgy for parents and parishioners.

The week has continued to be a celebration of the risen Lord ending this afternoon with the children, staff and parents enjoying a trilogy of fun activities: colour-run, waterslide and disco. What a great afternoon it was with plenty of laughs, screams and smiles.

Thank you to the PTFA for organising this fun event for the children. We really appreciate the efforts they put in to support our school community, and provide our children with these highlights in their school year.

All the best for the families that are participating in the Shore-to-Shore event on Sunday. The weather is looking good and I look forward to seeing you at the finish line.

In the coming week we have an opportunity for parents to come to school to hear from their child about their learning this term. ‘Sharing the Learning’ is part of our school’s reporting process. Wednesday, the 10th of April from 8am – 8.45am, the learning spaces will be open for children and their parents to share and discuss all the amazing learning that has happened. Please take this opportunity to bring your child to school and allow them to proudly share all they have achieved.

Next week is the final week for Term 1. Friday, February 12th at 2.50pm, will see the school close for a two week break. Monday, 29th April at 8.50am, the school will open for Term 2.

In the second week of the break, the country celebrates ANZAC day. St Joseph’s participates in this annual celebration, with children and staff walking in the Takapuna ANZAC parade. If you would like your children to be in this parade please contact Natasha Luxford, natashal@sj.school.nz. There is further information in a notice below.

Ka manaakitia e te Atua

Alister Bridgman

Tumuaki

• Sharing the Learning
• Cell Phones & Smart Watches
• School Sport
• Football Report from Lachlan
• Reminder Regarding Absences
• Takapuna Anzac Parade
• Public Transport Fare Changes for Students
• St Joseph’s Parish Newsletter
• Community Notices

The Government has introduced a policy that requires students not to use cellphones through the school day. All students who have cell phones/smart watches are required to hand them into the office in the morning and collect them at the end of the day. Alternatively they can keep them at home.

We invite your teams to register to play Sports for St Joseph’s Primary School in Terms 2 & 3.

Reminder – Registrations close at 9 am on Wednesday 10 April 2024.

– Rippa Rugby – Years 3-6
Location: Onewa Domain
Day: Thursday 13 June (save day Tuesday 18 June) & Thursday 22 August (save day 27 August)
Game Times: during school hours
Season Dates: 13 June & 22 August

– Splash Polo – Years 2-3
Location: Sir Owen Glenn National Aquatic Centre
Day: Sunday
Game Times: Varies, between 2.00pm-6.30pm
Season Dates: 5 May to 23 June (no games 26 May, King’s Birthday & 9 June)
Game Duration: 2 x 8 min halves
FEES: $50 per player (based on 7 in a team & based on limited pool availability)

– Fippa ball – Years 4-6
Location: AUT Millennium Pool
Day: Sunday
Game Times: Varies, between 1:00pm-6:30pm
Season Dates: 5 May to 23 June (no games King’s Birthday)
Game Duration: 2 x 8 min halves
FEES: $85 per player (based on 7 in a team & three training sessions)

Please note

• Students will only be registered in a team once payment is received.
• As we experience a change in the number of players each term we cannot guarantee your child will be in the same team as the previous term. 
• Team selections will be made after discussions with the team coaches.

Stanley Bay Park 2024 Football Festival

By Lachlan, Year 5

When I woke up on Wednesday, I was happy to see the sun shining. I knew it was going to be a beautiful day at Stanley Bay Park for our football festival. I was excited to play football with my friends against other schools.

There were lots of teams from our school, and there were lots of nice parents that took us to the park. It was also nice that the teachers could come and help.

When we arrived at the park we had some morning tea and then we started our first game against Vauxhall Wanderers.

They scored first; but then Will scored an amazing goal from our side of the field that went way up into the air and into their goal!! Then it was Korah’s turn for a corner, which came off a player and went in! We won 2-1.

It was a great start.

Next we played Takapuna Primary School Rogue Rukus and we won by lots. I think we all scored a goal in that game. It was awesome.

In our third game we played St Leo’s Lads. It was a very close game, but we won again by 2-1.

We then had a break for lunch and then we had a bye. It was good to rest after a busy start to the day.

For our last game we played Stanley Bay Silver. It was a tough game, but we managed to win.

I’m really happy that I participated this year. I am proud of my team that we did so well. I have sore legs now but I can’t wait to play football again.

Team St Joe’s Blue

· Lachlan

· Rahiri

· Anders

· Stanley

· Korah

· Enzo

· Will

When it comes to reporting absences, please don’t forget the following:

• Please advise the school when your child will not be attending school.
• This should be done via the @School App.
• Please report the absence by 9am at the latest.
• By reporting via the App, both your child’s teacher and Julie Kelly (who keeps track of absences in the office) will be alerted.
• Make sure to include a reason for the absence (eg fever, headache, tummy bug, etc).
• Please do not ring the school to report the absence.
• If your child is going to be late or picked up for an appointment, please email their teacher, as well as Julie Kelly (office@sj.school.nz) and ensure your child is signed in/out in the office.

Free travel for 5 to 12 year olds and half-price travel for 13 to 24 year olds on AT bus, train and ferry services will end on 30 April 2024, in line with the government’s decision to withdraw funding for these concessions.  

This means that from Wednesday 1 May: 

5 to 12 year olds will no longer travel for free on weekdays and will instead pay a child concession (at least 40% off adult fares). They will continue to travel for free on weekends. The child concession will apply to anyone aged 5 to 15, who has a registered AT HOP card with their correct date of birth.   

13 to 15 year olds will stop receiving the half-price child fares discount and instead switch to paying full child fares (at least 40% off an adult fare during weekdays, and free travel on weekends) from 1 May. The child concession will apply to anyone aged 5 to 15, who has a registered AT HOP card with their correct date of birth.   

16 to 19 year olds with a secondary student concession will stop receiving the half-price secondary fares discount and instead switch to paying full secondary fares (at least 40% off an adult fare). Students aged 16-19 should apply for the secondary student concession to ensure they are paying the cheapest fare possible. 

More information about the discounts and what you may need to do next can be found at AT.govt.nz/farechanges  

Latest Parish Newsletter 31st March, 2024

sKids St Jo HP T1 2024

Please check out the latest community notices  which you can find on our school website. The latest notices include several school holiday activities you may be interested in for your children.