Kia Ora Whanau

This coming Thursday, 15th August, is the Feast of the Assumption. The church is celebrating the belief that the Blessed Virgin Mary was taken (assumed), body and soul, into heaven at the end of her earthly life. We will be attending Mass as a school at 11am in the Church. Whanau are welcome to join us for this school Mass.

Last weekend the Minister of Education, Erica Stanford, announced an update on the pāngaru mathematics curriculum. The first steps in the action plan includes:

• Bringing forward the implementation of the refreshed pāngaru mathematics curriculum for years 0-8 by a year to be required in 2025.
• Providing $20 million of funding for professional learning and development in structured maths.
• Contracting existing providers to supply every single classroom years 0-8 with resources aligned to the new curriculum including detailed teacher guides and student workbooks.

The Minister made a similar announcement back in May around structured literacy.

In May, I shared that we run a very successful reading programme which has seen the school average 93% of children being ‘at or above’ their expected reading level over the last five years.

We also deliver a successful pāngaru mathematics programme that reflects the current pāngaru mathematics curriculum, with our focus being on the individual child’s learning steps and progress. This programme has seen the school average 89% of children achieving ‘at or above’ their expected maths level over the last five years.

Our teachers will participate in the professional learning and development programmes in structured pāngaru maths and the school looks forward to receiving the Ministry of Education resources that are aligned with the new pāngaru mathematics curriculum.

This term sees the Kiwi and Kakapo teachers participating in the Ministry of Education structured literacy professional development, over three days. Next year, the Ministry will be providing similar professional development for the Kakariki teachers.

Over terms two and three, teams plan and participate in team liturgies/masses. Yesterday, the Kiwi Year 0/1 children had their liturgy in the hall, and it was lovely to see so many of their whanau joining them. They all read and sang beautifully.

Today the Kakariki team, Pod 2 (Hg 4, 5, 6) led the 9:15 am parish Mass. This is a wonderful opportunity for the children to see and be a part of the parish with fellow parishioners. Pod 2 children certainly did themselves, their whanau, and the school proud at this morning’s Mass.

Congratulations to the children who received the Sacrament of Confirmation last night; and we wish them all of God’s blessings as they receive the gift of the Holy Eucharist for the first time at this weekend’s Saturday/Sunday mass.

Ka manaakatia koutou e te Atua

Alister Bridgman
Tumuaki

The Principal’s Message will cover the following topics:

• Book Fair
• Cross Country Tuesday
• Visiting Students From Japan
• Sabbatical/Church Fundraiser
• The Courts
• Parish News
• Community Notices

Yesterday the books arrived!!!

Today the children went for their preview and recorded the books they would like to purchase.

On Monday, we have our book parade beginning at 9:15 am. All whanau are welcome to join us. The location of the parade will be determined on the day. There are several options and it is weather dependent.

Come along for a fun filled hour and witness all the lovely book character costumes the children and staff will be wearing.

The book fair, located in the library, will be open after the parade, so you will be able to purchase the books your child has selected.

We have the school Cross Country on Tuesday, 13th August. 

Children should wear: 

• Appropriate clothing for running.
• Appropriate footwear.
• NO CROCKS – not even in sports mode please.
• Have a warm jersey/sweatshirt.
• They can wear the colours of their House.

The plan is to begin the event at 9:15am on the bottom field. We do not have an exact timetable for the different year levels. If you are interested in seeing your child running, please join us at 9:15 am. It’s usually all over in about 90 minutes.

The decision to run the event is made in the morning. Your children can wear their sports clothes on Tuesday the 13th, even if you think it is unlikely to be run, as there have been occasions where the weather has cleared and we have run the event in the afternoon.

Postponement Day is Tuesday, the 20th August.

On Thursday, the 8th of August, students from Tokyo City Boys Senior High School came to visit our Kakapo and Kakariki children. They were welcomed by the Kapa Haka group. The Tokyo City Boys students entertained us with a song from a popular Japanese anime (Doraemon). The Kakapo and Kakariki children got to experience some origami and “ayatori” (string games). We look forward to their next visit to our school! 

Monsignor David is scheduled to fly to France on 26 August, and will be away until 10 January, 2025. He’s taking a sabbatical, during which he’ll mark his 75th birthday. With two friends, he plans to do the 1600km pilgrimage walk (Camino) from Le Puy-en Velay (France) to Santiago de Compostela (Spain), the burial place of James, one of the apostles. 

Planning is well underway for an upgrade to St Joseph’s Church, which will provide lift access, an improved hospitality area, and a safe gathering space in front of the church. Msgr David hopes his pilgrimage can be a fundraiser for the Church upgrade. Are you able to sponsor him on his 1600km pilgrimage? Twenty cents per kilometre means donating around $320 to the Church upgrade; $5 per kilometre means a donation of $8000. It depends, of course, on how many kilometres he walks! Or you may prefer a lump sum. Donations are tax deductible. Contact the parish office if you wish to sponsor Monsignor David.

The courts are primarily for the children to use from 8:15 am – 2:50 pm. They are opened for parking in the afternoon, the majority of the time. If you see students on the courts in the afternoon, please do not drive onto the courts. Park elsewhere. Home groups do use the courts in the afternoons for PE. If the gates are closed, please leave them closed. They will be opened when they are available for parking. Thank you for your support.

Latest News from St Joseph’s Takapuna

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