Kia ora koutou

Today the Kakapo team went to the MOTAT museum. The theme for the term is ‘A Wheely Good Term’. Each term teaching teams plan a variety of learning activities, in the various curriculum areas, on the theme. This provides the children an authentic context in which to learn. Trips like today allow the children to experience the topic in the real world. Children learn in a variety of ways and for many, a relevant school trip embeds their learning. In a few weeks Kakapo will be having a ‘Wheels Day’ at school, again reinforcing the children’s learning.

We have our Year 3 – 6 Athletics Day on Thursday next week. This sees our Kakapo and Kakariki team travelling to Onewa Domain to participate in a variety of Athletics activities. Parents are welcome to join us and if you are available to assist, this would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Mrs Lambert via the office. Parents please ensure your children have their school hat, water bottle, sunscreen, morning tea and lunch. Children will need to be at school before 9:50 am as they are travelling by bus to the park. All children are required to come to school in the morning for roll call. It is a great day for the children which they thoroughly enjoy.

Friday next week the school will be CLOSED to students as we have a MOE Curriculum Day.
You are welcome to book your child into our sKids programme as they will be open for the day. Teachers will be looking at the new ‘English’ and ‘Mathematics and Statistics’ Curriculums which arrived in schools last week.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Ka manaakitia e koutou e te Atua.

Alister Bridgman
Tumuaki

The Principal’s Message will cover the following topics:

• School Closed, Friday 15th November
• SKIDS Programme for 15th November
• Cans For Christmas
• 2025 Curriculum Days
• Year 6 “Connections” Day
• Carpark/Drive-thru Zones
• Illnesses
• Principals For A Day
• Calendar Art
• Parish News
• Community Notices

stjosephstakapuna@skids.co.nz

This year we collected 1010 cans in total for our three week can drive. 

Thank you to the many children who made a real effort to do a little something extra at home and earn a can. Every single can of food  will make a difference to someone.

CANS FOR CHRISTMAS 

By: Amelia, HG5

Record breaking numbers! So many cans! Kindness within everyone bringing together students, families, & teachers. Thanks to the spirited participation  & support! The students bought so many cans, raising significant numbers with great affection & care, showing our Mercy values. Thank you to all the teachers & parents who supported all of us for this humble act of mercy & nobility. Together we’ve made a huge difference ! 

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention  – Oscar Wilde 

The Minister of Education announced that schools have two Curriculum Days in 2025. These curriculum days are for teachers to learn about the new ‘Mathematics and Statistics Curriculum’ and how to implement it. 

The Curriculum Days will see the schools CLOSED for students.

We will be having our 2025 curriculum days on the following dates:

• Friday, 7th February
• Monday, 28th April

We have informed Geoff and Tess, our sKids out of school care providers.

Year 6 Connections Day 2024

By: Isabella, HG5

On Wednesday, 30th October, all the year sixes went to St Mary’s for a Connections Day. We went there so we could make new friends to have at Carmel or Rosmini. We were split into groups like A1, A2, A3 and so on. We started off with a Mass; then we got into our groups and we had a rotation. There were 3 rotations, outdoor games, scavenger hunt and a singing battle. At the end of the day, we had to have a song to sing to everyone. St  John’s performance was amazing. After everyone performed we got ice blocks. It was an amazing experience to meet new people and to make friends.

Each morning and afternoon we have approximately 430 children driven to and from school. We offer both parking and drive through drop off/pickup options. Please can parents driving their children to/from school take care when parking/driving though. Please be aware of the children, parents and other cars. Please drive slowly and be considerate of people and cars around you. Please allow time for your drop off/pick up in order that you are not in a rush. If everyone takes care then we minimise the possibility of an accident in our carpark/drive through zone.

Thank you.

Currently there is a tummy bug  travelling around. Please remind your children about the need to wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and dry their hands properly. We ask the children to wash their hands before they eat and after they have been to the toilet. 

Term three has seen a number of children away with illness. Thank you to parents who have supported teachers by coming to school to collect their children when they have become ill through the day. Summer is nearly here so this will hopefully see bugs on the decline.

Latest News from St Joseph’s Takapuna

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