Dear Parents

Week one, although short, has been highly successful. The children had a lovely three days full of a variety of activities. These activities have been designed to help them to get to know their classmates, their teacher, and the other children and teachers in their team.

Today we had our MOE Curriculum Day. The Government has allocated four curriculum days to schools, in order that teachers can receive professional development on the new Maths curriculum over the next two years. 

The Minister of Education released the new Maths and English Curriculums at the end of last year. Schools are beginning the journey for their implementation this year. It is anticipated it will take up to three years to fully implement them.

As a school our teachers will be learning about both curriculums and looking at ways in how we are already achieving these curriculum statements and what we need to incorporate into our programmes of learning.

Teacher professional development is central to all curriculum development. The school has a mathematics advisor working with the teachers throughout this year on the introduction of the new Maths curriculum. 

Our current school maths programme has delivered good outcomes for our children so we will be continuing this programme in the context of the new curriculum.

Parents will have an opportunity to see how their children are progressing with their maths at ‘Sharing the Learning’ each term and through the reporting process.

Next Friday, 14 January, we will be having our first school Mass for the year. The Mass begins at 9:15 am in our church. All whanau are welcome to join us for this celebration for the beginning of the school year.

Our ‘Back to School Whanau Picnic’ is on Friday, 21st February, 5:30 pm – 7: 30 pm. This is held on the lower field. Families are welcome to bring their picnic, rugs and picnic chairs. Alternatively you will be able to buy your dinner from the food trucks which will be located on the courts. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents to meet other home group/team families.

Please consider joining our PTFA. This group organises school social occasions and fundraising for school determined resources. Come and get involved in supporting our school community. The first meeting is Monday, 24th February, 7:15 pm in the school staffroom.

Have a lovely weekend

Ka manaakitia e te Atua

Alister Bridgman

Tumuaki

The Principal’s Message will cover the following topics:

• “Camp Weeks”
• School Opening Mass
• Sports
• Kidz Can Performing Arts
• Colour Dash
• Parish News
• Community Notices

Friday, 14th February, we will be having our School Opening Mass beginning at 9:15 am. This Mass will be celebrating the beginning of the new school year and we will be welcoming the new students and their families to our school community. All whanau are welcome to join us for this special occasion.

We invite you to register your child to play Splash Polo & Basketball for St Joseph’s School in Term 1. 

Please note – Splash Polo and Breakers registrations close at 3pm on Friday 7 February and North Harbour Basketball close on Friday 14 February.

You can find more information and registration info on the sports section of our school website.

Kind regards

St Joseph’s Sport

THE LION KING 2025

Hi there to all St Joseph’s Students. Kidz Can Drama is your local Performing Arts Centre, based right here at St Joseph’s School. We will be starting this year’s Drama Club for 2025 on Thursday lunch time 6 March. This is for anyone interested in the Performing Arts. Our production of the Lion King will take place at the Rose Centre Belmont on 13 December 2025. The cost is $18 per week charged at the start of the term.

We are now open for enrolments for 2025. For more information please contact:

Susan Fraser, 410-1506 or 021 378 007, susanf@kidzcan.co.nz

What is Colour Dash? (think Colour Run!)

 9th March 2025 |  Ngataringa Sports Fields, Devonport, Auckland
 1km, 3km, or 5km Colour Dash—participants choose their distance and start time!

 Start times: 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 11:30 AM, or 12:00 PM – whatever suits your vibe best!

 Walk, run, or roll through vibrant colour zones and exciting obstacles. Participants (Dashers) start in white and finish as a moving canvas of bright hues!

 Stick around for the Colour Carnival with live music, dancing, photo ops, and the iconic Beads of Connection activity, plus a classic Kiwi sausage sizzle!

 100% of proceeds go to the Liz Soper Foundation of Care, helping adults with complex disabilities enjoy more fun moments!

We would love St Joseph’s to get involved in two keyways:

1. Help Spread the Word & Win a $500 Cash Prize!

Every person who enters and nominates St Joseph’s Takapuna in the referral box boosts the school’s chances of winning a $500 CASH PRIZE! While the event isn’t free  ($23 per child/youth, $33 per adult (<4s free with Adult), with team and family discounts available), we’d love to gift a team entry (four adults) to some of St Joseph’s teachers, plus a family pass for a family who would love to attend but may not be able to afford it (no need to let us know who it goes to).

2. Beads of Connection at Colour Dash   – A Special Connection Initiative

As part of Colour Dash, we’re inviting the community to create uplifting Beads of Connection (think friendship bracelets) that symbolize connection and inclusivity. These bracelets will be exchanged at the event, so by the end of Colour Dash, every participant will have exchanged a bracelet—a tangible reminder of the beautiful, connected community we’re building together. We’d love to come to St Joseph’s for a lunchtime pop-up (or another suitable time) where students can help us make these bracelets (we’ll provide all materials). I’ve attached a slide showing our recent Pop-up event at Air New Zealand for reference.

Latest News from St Joseph’s Takapuna Parish

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