Tena Koutou

It was unfortunate that we had to postpone today’s Whanau Picnic. The inclement summer continues. Currently the weather forecast for Friday 3 March is looking okay. We look forward to catching up with you all next Friday evening from 5.30pm to 7.30pm on the lower field.

It was wonderful to have so many whanau and parishioners join us for our Ash Wednesday liturgy this week. It was a very special liturgy led by Father Mark in which the students, staff, whanau and parishioners reflect on how they will be preparing for Easter through Lent. Please support your children in what they have chosen to do to help others through Lent. They may need a friendly reminder.

Below is a message from our DRS, Annette Woodhead, regarding our school led Parish Good Friday Liturgy. If you are home for Easter, we invite your child and whanau to be a part of this special liturgy.

We are pleased to be able to resume some activities that have not been available to us over the last few years. Next week team Kakapo will be going to Mairangi Bay for Beach Ed and Team Kakariki will be having their Retreat day on Friday. The ākonga and kaiako (students and teachers) have had an AWESOME first few weeks back at school.

Ka manaakitia e te Atua

Alister Bridgman
Tumuaki
principal@sj.school.nz

The Principal’s Message will cover the following topics:

• A Prayer for Lent
• Stations of the Cross/First School Mass
• Shrove Tuesday
• Choir
• Back-to-School Picnic Postponed
• School Absences
• Team Kiwi Bubbles Day
• Community Notices

I am the light of the world.

“Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”

E te Ariki, Lord, as we gather today, we invite you to be with us. May your grace give us the courage to face the challenges and temptations we are confronted with. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.

Āmene.

The parish of St Joseph’s is once again asking the children to be involved in the Stations of the Cross liturgy on Good Friday morning, 7th April at 10am. This is a very significant and special liturgy to be involved in. Comments from children in the past have been:

• “I felt like I was there.”
• “I now understand the story more.”
• “What powerful prayer.”

If your child is in Year 3-6 and would like to be involved in the liturgy (e.g, acting), please email annettew@sj.school.nz with your child’s name and home group.

We will also need some students from Year 1 and 2 as part of the crowd. As many choir children as possible will be needed, as they hold everything together with their singing (more details for these groups will come out soon).

Also, the first School Mass of 2023 is AT 9:15am on March 9th at St Joseph’s Church. You are more than welcome to join us for this Mass.

Our St Joseph’s School Choir is starting up next week. It is for students Year 3 – 6. We meet every Wednesday morning at 8:15am. If your child would like to be part of this group they need to meet with Mrs Linehan in HG 12.

See you on Friday, March 3rd!

The Ministry of Education is asking schools to communicate to their parent community that all students are expected to have returned to school to participate in the programme of learning. They are concerned about the number of unjustified absences (Truancy) schools are currently experiencing.

Below are some of the reasons that are considered unjustified absences:

• Overseas travel
• Travel to a destination to avoid traffic
• Family events/affairs/appointments
• Extra-curricular activities – dance, piano, competitions
• Sport/Cultural Activities not organised by the school

The success of your child’s learning programme relies on your child attending school every day. Please arrange for the above activities to occur out of school hours or in the school holidays.

Please check out the latest community notices that are on our school website.