Dear Parents & Whanau,

Welcome to the end of Term 1. It has been a wonderful term of learning for the children. Although it was a shaky start to the term, the children have had a good opportunity to focus fully on their learning in the later half.

It has been wonderful to see so many parents with the children at “Sharing the Learning”. This is a great opportunity for the children to share all the learning they have done with their parents. The positive feedback by parents is a very powerful tool for supporting learning.

Last Friday we ended Easter Week with two wonderful celebrations: Cereal Dominoes and Tabloid Sports. The Cereal Dominoes created great excitement and was highly successful. Thank you so much for the over 400 boxes of cereal. Your generousity is greatly appreciated by our local St Vincent de Paul Society. The children loved participating in the Tabloid Sports in their House Atiwhai groups. Our thanks to our student Atiwhai leaders for organising and running this event.

The Principal’s message will cover the following topics:

• Report for Cluster Swimming
• ANZAC Day
• Queries or Concerns
• Term 1 Photos

Ka manaakitia e te Atua

Alister Bridgman

Principal

April 1 2021 : It was a cloudy dull day and nobody was sure if the Cluster  Swimming would go ahead or not. The cluster swimmers were anxiously waiting in line unsure if the event would take place or not. Thunderstorms had been expected but we were still going! Marching off to Takapuna Primary with knots in stomachs, we reached within 10 minutes. When we had arrived at Takapuna Primary we all started rolling out the blue tarpaulin. After we were all seated a lady in a bright pink hi vis vest gave us a briefing of what was going to happen today. The first thing she said was if we saw any lightning or thunderstorm, Cluster Swimming would be instantly cancelled. She explained that after the heats would be the finals of the top four of gender and age. When she had finished the briefing, the first race began , the year 4 girls freestyle.

There were only 4 lanes so there were about 6 races per every year group. There was always cheering and chanting for every swimming sprint. Everybody did their best and by the time the swimmers had finished freestyle, each and everyone’s voice was hoarse. After freestyle came breaststroke. Soon after the finals of breaststroke came backstroke. In backstroke, we had a few parent volunteers holding the board at the finish line so that we did not smash our hands at the finishing wall. After all the heats and finals there was one last huge event. The relay.

The relay was  where the fastest swimmers for each age group and gender got to race for the school. All the others were allowed to sit on the bench and cheer for this event. When the wooden blocks clamped together there was a roar from supporters. We were all so tense as they swam up and down. Finally they finished and we roared our approval. St Joes had come 2nd.

Soon we were trooping back to St Joseph’s talking about how close we were or about how others did in their race. All the pressure washed away!

By Lemi

On Sunday 25th April (middle Sunday of the upcoming student break) the Takapuna RSA will be having their annual ANZAC parade. Our students participate in this parade. If you are interested in your child being a participant in this parade, please email secretary@sj.school.nz with your child’s name and their home group number. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to represent the school in what is one of New Zealand’s key memorial celebrations. Mr Bridgman will be accompanying the students and all students are asked to wear their school uniform. Relevant details from the ANZAC Day website are below;

• Parade Assemby – 9.15 am – Corner of Lake Rd and Sanders Ave, Takapuna
• Parade Commences – 9.25 am
• Service – 9.30 am at War Memorial, 1-7 The Strand, Takapuna

Parents who advise us that their child is participating will be provided further information on receipt of their email. 

As a school, we focus on supporting your child with their learning with you. You are their first educators.

If at any stage you have queries or concerns, please make a time to meet with your child’s teacher. Sharing your thoughts allows them to understand what you are thinking and provides them an opportunity to respond.

If having met with the teacher, you continue to have queries or concerns, please contact one of the leadership team. All teachers are focused on growing the children, in their home group, in their learning and social development in partnership with the parents.